Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 St. Joseph, Mo. – The Northern State University softball team went 1-1 in their second day at the Missouri Western Apple Market Classic. The Wolves move to 12-9 on the year, heading into the final day of play from St. Joe and their final nonconference games of the season.
 
Game One - #11 Emporia State
 
The two teams were scoreless through the first five innings of play, as NSU senior Kami Smesmo dished out two strikeouts and threw two one-two-three innings. The Hornets nabbed the first run of the game in the sixth off a few NSU mishaps and a single to lead off the inning. Northern fought back however in the top of the seventh with a run of their own to tie it all up.
 
With two outs in the seventh, Courtney Moore was the Wolves final hope of the game. Moore smashed the first homerun of her career, a long ball to right, for Northern's second hit of the game. NSU was unable to take the lead, and Smesmo was forced to hold the attacking Hornets in the final half inning of regulation. After giving up a lead-off single, the senior settled down for a groundout, fly ball, and line drive to push the two teams to extras.
 
Northern used their extra inning experience from only a week ago, scoring Lauren Kunz who was placed on second due to the international tie breaker rule. Ashley Clapp and Kelsey Gale hit back to back singles to left and the Wolves were up 2-1. NSU then took advantage of a few ESU miscues for two more runs in the innings, and the 4-1 lead.
 
Emporia State pushed across one run in the bottom of the eighth, however were unable to score the go-head runners on second and third. Smesmo finished with her eighth win of the season, throwing a complete eight innings for NSU. The ace gave up one earned run on seven hits while striking out two in the process. The 4-2 victory was the Wolves 12 of the year and second in extra innings.
 
Game Two – Central Missouri
 
The NSU bats struggled in game two as only three runners reached base by virtue of a hit. Eryn Yancy was 1-for-1 on the day with a single to through the left side, while drawing two walks off Jennie start Schockley. Kelsey Gale and Kalie Maiden tallied Northern's other two hits in the game.
 
Rachel Albright started for the Wolves in game two, giving up five earned runs of seven hits in five innings pitched. The sophomore suffered her first loss of the season, as Northern fell 0-8 in the game. Missy Elkins threw two innings in relief for Albright giving up one earned run off two hits.
 
Northern will return tomorrow from St. Joe with match-ups against Pitt State and Northwest Missouri State.