Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team dropped a pair of conference match-ups to No. 18 Augustana College in Friday action. The Wolves fall to 18-13 on the year and 5-3 in Northern Sun games.
Game One The NSU offense was held scoreless in game one, by Augie starter Janelle Trautmann. Trautmann sat the Wolves down one-two-three in the first three innings of play before
Kalie Maiden broke up the no0hitter in the bottom of the fourth. The junior snuck a single up the middle for the Wolves lone hit of the game.
The powerful Viking offense belted out ten hits and 12 earned runs in the 5 inning, mercy rule victory over Northern.
Kami Smesmo suffered her sixth loss of the season, in the 14-0 game.
Game Two The Wolves fought back in game two, scoring four runs to open offensive play.
Kelsey Gale led off the game for NSU with a walk and was then sacrificed to second by
Kalie Maiden. Gale came around to score off an
Eryn Yancy single through the left side.
Brittney Lash stepped to the plate with Yancy on first and
Rachel Albright, who was hit by a pitch, on third. The sophomore singled to the second basewomen scoring Albright on the play. Northern was not finished as
Katie Dawson doubled to left center, scoring both Yancy and Lash.
Northern added their fifth and final run in the bottom of the third, led off by Yancy with a double down the right field line. The senior came around to score two at-bats later, off a
Brittney Lash single up the middle. Lash's second RBI of the game but the Wolves up 5-1 over the Vikings.
Augustana College however would not let down scoring in both the fifth and sixth innings, with five and four runs respectively. Costly NSU errors, and timely Augustana hitting led the Northern's demise in the game. NSU fell 5-10 as they were unable to answer back in the final innings of play.
Missy Elkins suffered her sixth loss of the season throwing five innings for NSU. Elkins gave up four earned runs on nine hits, while striking out four.
Rachel Albright entered in relief for the Wolves with two innings pitched. Albright gave up two earned runs and five hits in her time on the mound.
The Wolves return to Moccasin Creek tomorrow with game times set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., versus the visiting Wildcats of Wayne State College.
