Winter Haven, FLA. – The Northern State University softball team spilt on their first day of play at the Rebel Spring Games. The Wolves came out on top in game number one against Ferris State with a score of 8-6. The win marked the season opener for NSU putting them at 1-0 on the year. That however was short lived as the Wolves fell to No. 13 Wayne State (MI) 0-9 in six innings of play.
 
Northern was able to fight back after a five run deficit was given up in the bottom of the first inning. The Wolves scored four runs in both the third and sixth innings to secure the victory. Freshman Missy Elkins recorded her first collegiate win throwing three innings while giving up only two hits and striking out two. Junior ace Kami Smesmo threw four innings of work in the match-up giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out two.

The Wolves were led by Eryn Yancy and Rachel Albright in game one with two hits apiece. Yancy, who was 2-3 from the plate, drove in three runs off a single and sacrifice fly. Macey Engel also recorded two RBI with a double in the top of the third inning. Lindsey Hubler and Lauren Kunz each recorded an RBI as well to push the Wolves to victory.
 
Sophomore Kelsey Gale scored two runs for the Wolves, while connecting for one hit in the match-up. Kalie Maiden was the final Wolf to record a hit in the win. Northern left a total of five runners on base through seven innings of play, while committing five team errors.
 
Lauren Kunz was the only Wolf to record a hit in game two against the Warriors of Wayne State. WSU hurler Briana Lee retired the first 15 NSU batters before the leadoff single to Kunz in the bottom of the sixth.
 
NSU will continue play tomorrow from the Rebel Spring Games at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. against Ohio Dominican and Hillsdale College.