Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team collected a split in their final home games of the 2016 season against the University of Minnesota Crookston. The Wolves round out conference play with a record of 14-16 and an overall record of 24-30, while the Golden Eagles complete their season 5-25 in the NSIC with an overall record of 11-39. Northern State clinched a spot in the NSIC Tournament with three victories on the weekend. The tournament will be hosted in Sioux Falls late next week, and the bracket and schedule will be released tomorrow.
 
Game One
 
The Wolves rallied early in the first match-up, plating all five of their runs in the bottom of the first. With one out, Kalie Maiden singled to left center to begin the long inning for NSU. Junior Rachel Albright followed by doubling to left center to put runners on second and third with Macey Engel at the plate next. Engel drilled a single to center field to score the first run of the game. After a Katelynn Dilts walk, Katie Dawson unloaded on a pitch, doubling to left field, and scoring both Albright and Engel. In the next plate appearance, Brittney Lash found a gap through the right side to plate another run for NSU. The Wolves would strand two base runners, but enter the second inning with a comfortable 5-0 lead.
 
The two teams played at a stand still until the top of the seventh inning when Minnesota Crookston looked to come back from their five run deficit. Allison Foley led off the inning with a double to left center, and was advanced home off of a single through the left side. The Golden Eagles had two pinch hitters in the bottom of the inning, however were unable to accumulate four additional runs and would take the 5-1 loss in game one.
 
Northern State outhit Minnesota Crookston nine to four in the contest. Seniors Kalie Maiden and Brittney Lash each went 2-3 from the plate, while Katie Dawson picked up two RBIs.
 
From the mound, Jamie Fisher earned her 10^th victory of the season. Fisher held the Golden Eagles to just four hits and one earned run, tallying six strikeouts in seven complete innings pitched.
 
Game Two
 
Both teams struggled to trigger an offense in the second game of the day, as the score remained tied at 0-0 until the top of the fourth. UMC quickly earned two base runners from a pair of singles to the left side. Both runners were quickly advanced to scoring position from a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Ashley Hoyle. Jessica Derflinger of the Golden Eagles reached on an infield error, knocking in the first two runs of the game.
 
Minnesota Crookston would go on to hold the 2-0 lead through the remaining three innings as the Wolves were unable to spark a comeback.
Northern State was outhit four to six in the contest, forcing four walks and leaving seven runners stranded. Kalie Maiden, Rachel Albright, Katelynn Dilts and Michaela Liebl each connected for base hits in the final game of the double-header.
 
Missy Elkins was handed the loss from the mound, falling to 12-15 on the year. Elkins held the Golden Eagles to six hits and no earned runs through seven innings pitched.