St. Joseph, Mo. – The Northern State University softball team went 1-1 in the final day at the Missouri Western Apple Market Classic. Northern opened the day with a 2-10 loss versus Pittsburg State, before bouncing back with a 4-0 victory over Northwest Missouri State. The Wolves are now 13-10 heading into conference play beginning this week.
Game One – Pittsburg State Northern fell behind early in game one as the Gorillas tallied three runs in the first two innings of play. Pitt State added another run in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead over the Wolves in the game.
NSU answered back in the sixth with two runs of their own.
Macey Engel singled through the left side with two outs to start the Wolves rally.
Michaela Liebl doubled to right in the next at-bat advancing Engel to third, who then scored on the play with an error by the right fielder. Liebl came around to home next for Northern, off an
Ashley Clapp single through the left side and the Wolves were within two.
The Wolves however were unable to hold of a powerful Gorilla offense in the bottom half of the inning, who belted out five hits and six runs.
Kami Smesmo suffered her fourth loss of the season giving up the deciding runs in the game. Smesmo threw three innings for NSU, before
Missy Elkins entered in relief. Elkins gave up seven earned runs off seven hits in 2.2 innings pitched.
Game Two – Northwest Missouri State Macey Engel started off the scoring for the Wolves in game two with a single to left center in the top of the second.
Mackenzie Thielen, pinch running for Engel, came around to score off
Katelynn Dilts base hit up the middle. The Wolves were then held scoreless till the sixth inning, where Engel started it again for NSU.
Engel and Dilts hit back to back singles to left field, leaving runners on first and second for seven hitter,
Brittney Lash. Lash scored
Ashley Clapp, running for Engel with a double down the right field line.
Lauren Kunz added a double of her own to opposite field, scoring Dilts and Lash to put the Wolves up 4-0.
Smesmo held the Bearcats in the bottom of the seventh throwing three groundouts after giving up a single. Kami threw a complete seven innings for NSU, tallying six strikeouts in her ninth win and first shutout of the season.
The Wolves will begin conference play this Tuesday at home versus Minnesota State University Moorhead. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. between the Wolves and the Dragons.
