Winona, Minn. – The Northern State University softball team recorded their third consecutive split on the road today against the Winona State Warriors, taking game one 7-0 and dropping game two 6-2. The Wolves are currently 21-27 overall and 11-13 in conference action, while the Warriors have compiled a 30-14 overall record and stand 12-9 in the NSIC.

Game One

NSU jumped on Winona State early, tacking on three runs in the top of the first inning. Lead-off batter, Kelsey Gale, started the rally with a single up the middle. Katleynn Dilts approached the plate next and connected for a single down the right field line to put runners on the corners. With no outs, Rachel Albright reached on a hard hit ball to second, scoring Gale on the error and advancing to second. Brittney Lash, in her first plate appearance of the day, ripped a single up the middle with one. Despite being thrown out at second on the Winona State relay, the hit would account for two RBIs, scoring both Dilts and Albright. The Wolves would end the first with the 3-0 lead.

After the explosive first inning, both teams settled in and the game remained 3-0 until the top of the fifth. Northern State was able to put their first batter, Kalie Maiden, on base by forcing an infield error. Kelsey Gale singled to left field in the following at bat, putting two runners on for Katelynn Dilts. Dilts reached on a throwing error by the Warrior's third baseman, adding two runs to the NSU lead. With Dilts on third, Rachel Albright lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, plating the sixth run for the Wolves.

Northern State snuck an additional run in during the sixth inning off of a walk and a pair of singles from Courtney Sjerven and Kalie Maiden. Jamie Fisher continued to shut down the Winona State offense in the final innings of the contest, sealing the 7-0 NSU victory.

The Wolves outhit the Warriors eight to three, and forced three walks from the plate. Kelsey Gale and Courtney Sjerven led the Northern State attack with two hits apiece. Junior Rachel Albright was also a threat, connecting for two of the Wolves' four RBIs.

In seven complete innings pitched, Jamie Fisher held Winona State to three hits and no earned runs. The freshman earned her third shutout and eighth win of the season, tallying two strikeouts from the mound.

Game Two

In the second game of the day, the two teams remained locked in a pitcher's duel until Winona State broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the fourth. The Warriors quickly placed base runners on second and third from a walk and a single up the middle. With no outs, Allyson O'Herron positioned a bunt down to the left side, scoring the first run of the contest. After hitting the next batter, Missy Elkins was able to strikeout Shannon Nelson, and force another groundout to third to end the inning.

The Wolves responded to the 1-0 Winona State lead in the top of the fifth as Katie Dawson singled to center field. Junior Lauren Kunz entered the game to pinch run for Dawson and was quickly advanced to second on a Courtney Sjerven single through the left side. Michaela Liebl advanced the two runners to second and third in the following play. With two runners in scoring position, senior Kelsey Gale was intentionally walked to load the bases for Katelynn Dilts. Dilts was solid with two outs, ripping a single up the middle to put the Wolves up 2-1.

Winona State went on to break the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning, facing all three NSU pitchers, recording six hits and two walks for five runs. With one opportunity left at the plate, the Wolves were unable to rally in the top of the seventh, and the Warriors would collect the game two win.

Northern State notched seven hits from seven different players in the match, while Winona State collected 11 hits from the plate. The NSU defense was able to hold 10 of the Warriors' runners on the bases, allowing just six earned runs to score.

Missy Elkins was handed the loss, falling to 11-13 at the tail end of the season. Through 5.2 innings of work, Elkins gave up seven hits and four earned runs.

The Wolves will continue on the road this Wednesday to take on the University of Minnesota Duluth at 2 and 4 p.m. from Junction Avenue Field.