Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team collected a sweep in their first double-header of the weekend against the Bemidji State Beavers. NSU defeated BSU 6-2 in game one and sealed game two 3-2 in nine innings of play. The Wolves advance to 23-29 overall and 13-15 in conference action, while the Beavers fall to 29-17 overall and 12-11 in the NSIC.

Game One

The game remained scoreless through three innings of play, until Northern State senior, Macey Engel, led off the fourth with a double to left center. Jamie Fisher and Brittney Lash each walked to load the bases for the Wolves. With two outs, Kalie Maiden approached the plate and singled through the left side to plate the first run of the game. Due up next, Kelsey Gale doubled to left field to score the two runners on second and third. NSU would end the inning with a three-run advantage.

The Wolves added to their 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth as Rachel Albright started the rally with a single through the left side. After a flyout double play, the Wolves tallied a run off of a walk and an RBI double to left field from sophomore Katie Dawson. In the following at bat, Brittney Lash singled to center to score the second run of the inning.

Down 0-5, Bemidji State inched back by scoring a run in the top of the sixth off of two hits and an error. The Wolves responded by tallying their final run in the bottom of the inning after Kelsey Gale led the team off with a single up the middle.

With a five run deficit, the Beavers looked to close the gap in their last plate appearance. Jessica Burlingame tripled to put a runner in scoring position for Bemidji State. In the next at bat, Jessica Yost singled to add a run for the Beavers, however with two outs the team was unable to spark a comeback.

The Wolves were outhit nine to 11 in the contest. Kelsey Gale led the Northern State from the plate going 3-4 with two RBIs. As a team, NSU recorded four doubles off the bats of Kelsey Gale, Macey Engel, Jamie Fisher and Katie Dawson.

Jamie Fisher collected the 6-2 victory from the mound, holding the Beavers to one earned run and picking up five strikeouts. Fisher advances to 9-13 in the 2016 season.

Game Two

The Wolves notched two early runs in the bottom of the first, off of three singles from Kelsey Gale, Kalie Maiden and Katelynn Dilts. Bemidji State responded in the top of the second earning a run off of three hits.
Still down 1-2, the Beavers tied the game in the top of the third. Bemidji State recorded base runners from a base hit, an error and a walk. Brooke Phillips ripped an RBI single through the left side to make it a 2-2 contest.

The score would stay locked in at 2-2 through regulation play and continue into the ninth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Kelsey Gale led the Wolves off with a single through the left side. Kalie Maiden kept the offensive attack alive with a single to shortstop. With one out and two runners on, junior Rachel Albright unloaded on a pitch, doubling to left center and scoring the go-ahead run for NSU.

In the 3-2 win, Northern State collected 12 hits. Katelynn Dilts went 3-3 from the plate with 2 RBIs, while Rachel Albright, Kelsey Gale and Katie Dawson each recorded two hits.

Missy Elkins extended her season record to 12-14, holding the Beavers to one earned run and 12 hits in nine complete innings. 

Northern State will take on Minnesota Crookston tomorrow at 1 and 3 p.m. for Senior Dayat Moccasin Creek.