St. Joseph, M.O. – The Northern State University softball team was beaten by a pair of MIAA teams in the Apple Market Classic, falling 0-2 to Washburn University and 2-6 to Northwest Missouri State. The Ichabods of Washburn improve to 10-12, while the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State advance to 20-6 on the year. NSU is now 9-13 overall in the 2016 season.

Game One – Washburn University

In the low scoring contest, the Wolves were the first to threaten offensively in the top of the second inning as they loaded the bases off of a hit and a pair of walks, however, were unable to get an early run across. Washburn responded by plating a run in the bottom of the inning off of a pair of base hits down the left field line.

Down 0-1 in the top of the fifth, senior Kelsey Gale hit a single up the middle, and stole second on the following pitch. Although the Wolves had Gale in scoring position, they were unable to knock a run in with two outs. Once again, the Ichabods responded in the bottom of the same inning by hitting a solo homerun to right field to make it a 0-2 game. After seven inning complete innings, the match would end 0-2 in favor of Washburn.

As a team, NSU recorded three hits and three walks. Seniors Macey Engel and Kelsey Gale collected the base hits, as Engel went 2-3 from the plate and Gale went 1-3 with a stolen base.

Missy Elkins was handed the loss in the match, falling to 5-6 from the mound this season. The junior held the Ichabods to just two earned runs in seven innings pitched, notching two strikeouts and only allowing one walk.

Game Two – Northwest Missouri State

Looking to bounce back in the second game, the Wolves fought with the Bearcats. Northwest Missouri State tallied the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth as they reached on an error and collected two hits to take the 1-0 lead.

The Wolves got aggressive in the top of the sixth as Katelynn Dilts advanced to second on an error by the left fielder. The next batter, Kalie Maiden doubled to the right center gap to put runners on second and third. Macey Engel approached the plate with two outs, and ripped a single up the middle to allow Northern to take the 2-1 lead.

The Bearcats did not let the 2-1 NSU lead stand for long as they exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Northern State was unable to string together enough hits in the seventh to make a comeback, and Northwest Missouri State clinched the 6-2 victory.

The Wolves combined for five hits and two stolen bases. Kalie Maiden led the attack going 2-3 with a double. Kelsey Gale, Macey Engel, and Katie Dawson each collected hits as well for NSU. Kelsey Gale and pinch runner, Mackenzie Thielen recorded the stolen bases in the match.

Pitcher Jamie Fisher held the Bearcats to two earned runs off of nine hits. The freshman is now 3-6 from the mound on the year.

Northern State will play their final two games from the Apple Market Classic tomorrow at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. against Emporia State and Pittsburg State. Live stats will be available on the Wolves Athletic webpage by clicking the link attached to the softball schedule page.