Fayette, IA – The Northern State University softball team tallied a split this afternoon against the Upper Iowa Peacocks, falling 7-1 in game one and bouncing back to record the 6-1 victory in game two. The Wolves are currently 20-26 overall and stand 10-12 in conference action, while the Peacocks continue their record-breaking season with a 29-13 overall record and a 15-5 NSIC record.
Game One
After the Wolves were forced into a three up, three down top of the first inning, Upper Iowa wasted no time offensively getting their bats going. In bottom of the inning, the Peacocks connected for three base hits and two doubles, drawing two walks for six runs.
Northern State looked to respond to the six run deficit in the top of the second as the speedy
Katelynn Dilts reached second base on a fielding error by UIU's left fielder. The Wolves recorded outs in the following two at bats, however sophomore
Katie Dawson took an outside pitch and drove it through the right side to score Dilts.
Rachel Albright entered the game for the Wolves in the bottom of the second, holding the Peacocks to an infield single and recording three quick outs. The Wolves became a threat again in the top of the fourth as
Rachel Albright started the inning with a single to the shortstop. With two outs,
Ashley Clapp laid down a bunt single to place runners on first and second.
Katie Dawson was hit by a pitch in the next at bat to load the bases for sophomore
Michaela Liebl. Unable to rally with two outs, Liebl would end the inning with a foul flyout to first base.
Albright settled in from the mound, shutting Upper Iowa down until the sixth inning. The Peacocks added a run in the sixth off of a wild pitch to extend their lead to 7-1.
The Wolves would have their six, seven, eight batters due up in the top of the seventh, but Upper Iowa pitcher, Jacqueline Flood and her defense was able to seal the 7-1 victory.
Jamie Fisher was handed the loss in the contest, falling to 7-12 on the year. In relief, junior
Rachel Albright held the Peacocks to five hits with no earned runs in five innings of work from the mound.
From the plate, NSU recorded three hits off the bats of
Rachel Albright,
Katie Dawson and
Ashley Clapp.
Game Two
The Wolves came out with a different mentality in game two, holding the Peacocks early.
Macey Engel notched a solo homerun to center field in the top of the fourth inning to put Northern State up 1-0.
NSU added to their lead in the following inning as freshman
Courtney Sjerven singled up the middle. With one out,
Kelsey Gale put the ball in play forcing an error by the Peacocks' left fielder, advancing two runners into scoring position. At the plate next,
Rachel Albright loaded the bases with a single down the right field line.
Brittney Lash cleared the bases with a hard hit ball to second base, advancing to third on the error. Following the big play,
Katie Dawson added an additional run for the Wolves with a single to left field. Northern State ended the inning with a comfortable 6-0 lead.
Upper Iowa chipped away in the bottom of the fifth as Tara Walls led off the inning with a double to right center. After two infield popups, Katie Sammons connected for a single to plate Walls for the Peacocks' first run of the game.
Kalie Maiden put the inning away for the Wolves with a catch in center field, and Northern State would collect the win as the remaining two innings resided with a 6-1 final score.
Missy Elkins collected the victory in game two, improving to 11-12 in the 2016 season. Elkins was accurate from the mound, allowing no walks and earning four strikeouts in seven complete innings pitched.
As a unit, the Wolves outhit the Peacocks eight to four. Northern State was led by
Katie Dawson and
Macey Engel, each notching two hits in three at bats. Engel exploded for a homerun and a double which resulted in one RBI and two runs scored.
Northern State will continue on the road tomorrow, taking on Winona State at 1 and 3 p.m..
