Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team was eliminated from the NSIC Tournament this morning, falling to the No. 2 seeded University of Minnesota Duluth 4-0 in their third game of the week. The Wolves ended their 2016 season with a 25-32 overall recorded, while finishing ninth in the NSIC with a record of 15-17.
Minnesota Duluth was first to tack on a pair of runs early in the second inning. After NSU recorded two quick outs, the Bulldogs started a rally with two base hits and a walk to load the bases for Hannah Schmoll. Schmoll doubled down the right field line to give Minnesota Duluth the 2-0 advantage.
Northern State looked to respond in the top of the third as
Michaela Liebl led the inning off with a walk. With one out,
Kelsey Gale singled to left center to put runners on the corners. Gale advanced to second on a stolen base with
Rachel Albright at the plate. Albright hit a deep ball to center with runners in scoring position, however the Bulldogs made the catch and put the inning away.
The Bulldogs built on their 2-0 lead, starting the bottom of the fourth with a lead-off single to left field. Sammi Sadler and Hannah Schmoll laid down back-to-back bunts down to put runners on first and third. Schmoll stole second on the following play to give Natalie Wright the opportunity to knock in additional runs for the Bulldogs. Wright connected for a single down the right field line to make it a 4-0 game.
In the remaining three innings, the Wolves were unable to fire a comeback against the Minnesota Duluth defense. NSU was held to just three hits, coming off the bats of
Kelsey Gale,
Kalie Maiden and
Jamie Fisher. Junior
Katelynn Dilts forced two walks from the plate.
Missy Elkins was handed the loss for the Wolves, falling to 13-17 from the mound. Elkins ended the season with a career-high 13 wins. Making an appearance in relief,
Jamie Fisher tossed two innings, holding the Bulldogs to just one hit in seven at-bats.
Seniors
Kelsey Gale,
Kalie Maiden,
Macey Engel and
Brittney Lash each had solid performances in their final game for the Wolves.
