Aberdeen, SD – The Northern State University softball team collected two wins with a sweep over the University of Sioux Falls. Wolves' pitcher Kami Smesmo recorded a shut out with a 3-0 win in game one, while Missy Elkins moved to 5-9 with a 2-1 win in game two. 
 
Game One
The Wolves put the pressure on USF by getting bases loaded in the first inning, but were unable to put a run on the board. The first run of the game came in the second inning as Kelsey Gale connected for a single to left field, scoring Ashley Clapp.
 
Macey Engel got hit by a pitch to lead off the third inning, bringing Lindsey Hubler to the plate. Hubler connected for her seventh home run of the season, extending the Wolves lead to 3-0.
 
Sioux Falls rallied in the seventh inning with a lead off single by Kellen Dewey. Pinch hitter Britni Broussard reached on a fielder's choice as Smesmo threw Dewey out at second base to record the first out. Smesmo tallied a looking strike out by Andrea Sheppard-Kauwalu to record the second out. Leadoff hitter Erin Scott kept the inning going with a single up the middle, bringing the runners to first and third base. The Wolves were able to secure the win with a line out to second base the end the Cougar threat.
 
Smesmo recorded eight strikeouts on seven hits and two walks to move to 10-14 on the season.
 
Game Two
Northern State took the lead in the beginning of game two powered by a two out double to center field by Engel, scoring Lindsey Hubler. The Wolves held their one run lead until the bottom of the fourth inning when Rachel Albright hit a homerun to right center. Albright extended her homerun total to nine on the season with the two-out blast.
 
The Cougars put pressure on the Wolves in the sixth inning with a two out single by Dewey, followed by a walk by Taylor Jonas. Smesmo took over for Elkins with two outs in the sixth and got out of the jam with a ground ball to third base by Sheppard-Kauwalu.
 
The Cougars got on the board in the top of the seventh with a two-out single by Amanda Walters, scoring Scott. The Wolves closed out the game with a foul ball hit to Eryn Yancy.
 
Northern State improved to (8-18) in the conference with the sweep. The Wolves are back in action at home tomorrow at 1 and 3 p.m., against Southwest Minnesota State.