Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State Wolves softball squad (11-13, 2-2 NSIC) split a double header with Wayne State (31-11, 2-2 NSIC) as the Wolves fell in game one 5-2 but picked up the victory in game two 3-2.

The Wolves picked up the first two runs of game one in the first inning as Kelsey Robling continued her torrid hitting, smacked a double to centerfield scoring Caitlin Moran and Brooke Norris.

Wayne State picked up a run in the third and two more in the fifth to take 3-2 lead. The Wildcats then picked up another run in the sixth and seventh innings while the Wolves were unable to mount a comeback leading to the final 5-2.

The Wolves were held to just five hits, led by Robling with her two RBI's. Kami Smesmo pitched the complete game giving up nine hits and hampered by five walks while striking out four. Of the five runs Smesmo surrendered, three were earned.

The second game saw the Wolves once again jump on the scoreboard first. In the second inning, Whitney Luhring reached base on an error and advanced on a ground out from Eryn Yancy. Luhring then scored as Ashley Gabler hit a single into left field.

Northern State picked up two more runs in the third, once again aided by a Wayne State error. Kelsey Robling reached base and advanced to second on an error from the third basemen, who was unable to field Robling's hit cleanly. Robling was hit home on a double from Luhring. The very next batter, Eryn Yancy, smacked a single to right field scoring Luhring from second.

Wayne State would try to mount two comebacks, the first of which with the bases loaded and two outs with Megan Hageman at bat, she hit a fly ball to deep centerfield where Gabler made the catch at the fence to get out of the sixth.

The second rally occurred in the top of the seventh and the Wildcats picking up two runs. However, Smesmo, who came in for relief from Kelli Bornander, got Vicki Nielsen to pop up to Luhring to end the game.

Bornander pitched six innings giving up eight hits and striking out four. Smesmo pitched one inning of relief giving up one hit and the final outs. Luhring led the Wolves offensively with two runs scored and an RBI while Yancy went 2-3 with an RBI.

Caitlin Moran, the NSIC stolen bases leader, swiped two more bags today to up her season total and Northern State record to 21 stolen bases.

The Wolves will travel to Bismarck, N.D. on Wednesday March 28 for a double header with the University of Mary with a 2 p.m. scheduled first pitch.