Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Boxscore Game 1
Boxscore Game 2

ABERDEEN, S.D. – After having the best stretch of games in recent memory, the Northern State Wolves softball team hit a stumbling block on Wednesday afternoon as the University of Minnesota-Duluth swept the Wolves 5-2 and 5-0 in a double header at Moccasin Creek Field.

In game one, the Bulldogs got to freshman pitcher Kami Smesmo in the late innings to score five runs in the fifth and sixth on seven hits.

The Wolves took a 1-0 lead in the first inning utilizing a Bulldog error. Caitlin Moran singled into left field and was hit home on a rare double error when Eryn Yancy was at bat. Yancy hit a foul ball just to the left of third base that was dropped by the UMD third basemen. On the next pitch, Yancy hit a grounder to short and misplayed by the UMD shortstop, which scored Moran.

With little action in the middle innings and Smesmo seemingly in control, the Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead over the Wolves in the fifth on two hits. However, the Wolves battled back as Ashley Gabler scored on a triple from Moran, who hit a fly ball over the right fielder's head.

Coming back in the sixth, the Bulldogs secured three runs on four hits including a bases clearing triple to take a 5-2 lead which proved to be too much for the Wolves to overcome.

Smesmo, after giving up just three hits over the first four innings, gave up ten in the contest while striking out eight Bulldog batters and walking just two. Moran led the Wolves with three hits with a run scored and the RBI triple. Rachel South and Morgan Schultz picked up the other two Wolves hits.

In game two, the two teams slugged to nine hits apiece, however the Wolves were not able to capitalize on any of those hits in the 5-0 shutout.

The Bulldogs scored two runs in the first inning and scored again in each of the fourth, fifth and seventh innings as Kelli Bornander surrendered nine hits and three walks while striking out five.

The Wolves left 11 runners on base in the contest, surrendering runners on third base twice.

Kelsey Robling picked up three hits in the contest to lead the Wolves while Brittany Huback picked up two hits and a sacrifice bunt.

The Wolves will travel to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday April 21, for a 1 p.m. double header in Marshall, Minnesota.