Aberdeen, S.D.- The Northern State University softball team split two non-conference games today from the Presentation College Dome. The Wolves fell to undefeated Valley City State University 0-5 in the first match-up and bounced back to defeat Mayville State 8-0 in five innings of play. NSU is now 4-2 overall in the 2016 season.

Game One- Valley City State

Through two scoreless innings, both Valley City and Northern State had slow offensive starts to the game. It was not until the top of the third when Valley City pitcher, Morgan Nalley, started the inning off with a homerun to left field. The Wolves captured the first out of the inning immediately after by forcing a groundout to the pitcher. The next batter for the Vikings, Katarina Boychuk stepped up in her first plate appearance and ripped another solo shot to left field for Valley City. The Vikings then hit four consecutive singles to score two more runs.

Down 0-5, freshman Jamie Fisher entered the game to pitch. Fisher collected a strikeout and a groundout to second base to end the inning. Four scoreless innings passed when Mackenzie Thielen was due up to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Thielen singled to right field to start the late rally. With two outs, Jamie Fisher singled through the right side to advance Thielen to second. Senior Kelsey Gale approached the plate with a hot bat, however, hit a deep fly ball to center to end the game.

Kelsey Gale led the team going 2-4 with a double. Mackenzie Thielen, Michaela Liebl and Jamie Fisher also recorded base hits in the contest. Missy Elkins recorded 2.1 innings pitched, allowed five earned runs with one strikeout. Jamie Fisher completed 4.2 innings, shutting down the Vikings and nabbing three strikeouts.

Game Two- Mayville State

The Wolves recovered from their first game shutout by getting the bats going early against Mayville State. In the bottom of the second inning, Brittney Lash hit her first homerun of the 2016 season to dead center field, scoring Courtney Moore who reached on an error by the third baseman. The Wolves took the 2-0 lead and continued to shut down the Comets through the fifth inning.

Leading 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Wolves would start the inning off from the top of the order. Kelsey Gale reached on an error by the center fielder. Gale advanced to second on the play, and scored on the next at bat when Kalie Maiden singled to the shortstop. Jamie Fisher and Rachel Albright followed with back-to-back doubles for the Wolves, creating a 5-0 lead for NSU. Next, Macey Engel reached base on a fielder's choice and Brittney Lash stretched out an error by the right fielder to put runners on second and third. Michaela Liebl stepped to the plate and ripped a single down the left field line for two more RBI's. The Wolves would end the game 8-0 in the bottom of the fifth.

Kalie Maiden had a season best 2-3 from the plate, while Brittney Lash had a homerun and three RBI's for the Wolves. Rachel Albright and Jamie Fisher each hit doubles going 1-3 for Northern State. Fisher was also solid on the mound, shutting out the Comets in five complete innings pitched. The freshman had four strikeouts in 20 faced batters, and completed her first collegiate no hitter.

The Wolves will head down to compete in the National Training Center Spring Games on Saturday, March 5^th. Their first double header will be against Nyack College at 2 p.m. and Notre Dame College at 4 p.m..