Minot, N.D. – The Northern State University softball team tallied their second NSIC sweep of the 2016 season today against Minot State University. The Wolves defeated the Beavers 5-1 in game one, and clinched the series in game two with a 2-1 victory in nine innings of play. Minot State drops to 12-18 overall and 1-11 in conference play, while Northern State improves to 14-22 overall and 4-8 in the NSIC.
Game One
Minot State notched their one run of the game early in the contest as lead-off batter Jordan Grant laid down a bunt for a single in the bottom of the first. Grant stole second in the next at bat, and the Beavers were able to plate the junior on a groundout to short to put themselves up 1-0.
The Wolves finally responded in the top of the sixth inning as junior
Lauren Kunz started the rally with a single to left field. Approaching the plate next,
Kelsey Gale drilled a single to the opposite field, advancing Kunz to third. With no outs and runners on the corners, senior
Kalie Maiden reached on a fielder's choice, scoring
Lauren Kunz on an error by the catcher.
Tied 1-1,
Rachel Albright followed by reaching on another fielder's choice. The Beavers tagged Gale at home, however Albright was able to advance to second on the play. At the plate next, senior
Macey Engel knocked in two additional runs with a single up the middle.
The Wolves held the Beavers in the bottom of the sixth, and entered the seventh with the 3-1 lead. Freshman
Jamie Fisher led off the top of the inning with a single up the middle. With one out,
Kelsey Gale walked to put runners on first and second for the Wolves.
Kalie Maiden then singled through the left side to load the bases for
Rachel Albright. The junior connected for a double to center field, scoring two runs.
Minot State gained a base runner in the bottom of the seventh, but
Jamie Fisher and the Northern State defense held the Beavers, sealing the 5-1 victory.
Jamie Fisher held Minot State to six hits and one earned run in seven complete innings pitched. Fisher collected three strikeouts from the mound, picking up her fourth win of the season for NSU. The Wolves assisted the freshman with no errors from the field.
Offensively, Northern State connected for eight hits and four RBIs in the contest.
Kelsey Gale and
Jamie Fisher each went 2-3 from the plate, while
Rachel Albright and
Macey Engel tacked on two RBIs a piece for the Wolves.
Game Two
After being shutout for the first three innings of action, both teams knocked in a run in the fourth. With one out in the top of the inning, senior
Macey Engel launched a solo homerun to left field to put the Wolves up 1-0.
The 1-0 lead did not stand long for NSU as the Beavers tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on two base hits and an error.
Katie Dawson tallied the only additional base hit for the Wolves before entering extra innings. It was not until the top of the ninth that Northern State would become a threat.
Macey Engel led off the attack with a single to center field. Junior
Ashley Clapp entered the game to pinch run for Engel. Clapp stole second, putting herself in scoring position for
Katelynn Dilts. The junior ripped a single to center field to score the go-ahead run for the Wolves.
Northern State held the Beavers in the bottom of the nineth, leaving two runners on, and clinching the sweep.
Missy Elkins improved to 8-10 from the mound in the 2016 season, holding the Beavers to one earned run and five hits in nine complete innings pitched.
As a team, the Wolves compiled seven hits in 33 at bats.
Macey Engel and
Katelynn Dilts each tallied two hits from the plate with one RBI a piece.
Northern State will return home to Moccasin Creek Softball Complex after 10 straight road games. The Wolves will take on Concordia- St. Paul at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Minnesota State at 12 and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
