Aberdeen, S.D. – In their first home games of the season, the Northern State University softball team swept MSU Moorhead, defeating the Dragons 8-1 in game one and 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh in game two. With the victories, the Wolves improve to 17-9 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC, while the Dragons fall to 5-14 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

Game One

After shutting down the Dragons 1-2-3 in the top of the first, the Wolves tacked on a run in the bottom of the same inning as Shayla Steinley, Jenna Helgeson and Kennady Thompson each singled to put NSU on top by one.

The Wolves extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth when senior Rachel Albright connected for a lead-off double to left center. After a sacrifice bunt by Madison Rutter advanced Albright to third, Lauren Kunz followed with an RBI single to left center. A bunt single by Katelynn Dilts allowed Kunz to score on an error by MSUM, making it a 4-0 game.

The Dragon tallied a run in the top of the next inning off two base hits, a sacrifice bunt and an error to cut the Wolves lead to three runs.

NSU added four additional runs in the next two innings, going on a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth. Rachel Albright and Jess Vernon each hit RBI doubles to keep the Wolves' offense alive.

As a unit, Northern went 16-for-32 from the plate. Freshman Kennady Thompson went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, while Shayla Steinley, Jenna Helgeson, Jamie Fisher and Rachel Albright recorded two hits each.

From the mound, Jamie Fisher improved to 7-3 on the year, holding the Dragons to just five hits in 23 at bats. The sophomore tallied six strikeouts with no earned runs.

Game Two

The two teams remained scoreless through the bottom of the fourth, until Northern State senior Rachel Albright approached the plate. Albright launched her third double of the day to right center to place a runner in scoring position for Lauren Kunz. With two outs, Kunz swapped places with Albright to give NSU the 1-0 lead heading into the fifth.

MSU Moorhead responded in the top of the inning, putting runners on first and second off a single to right field and a walk. Lead-off batter Carly Williamson doubled to left center to cut the Dragon's deficit to one run. Taylor Roddie scored the tying run on an error, however Missy Elkins struck out the following batter to hold MSUM to just two runs.

Down by one, the Wolves looked to answer in the bottom of the fifth. With Kennady Thompson at second, Katie Dawson placed an RBI double to center field to tie the game at 2-2.

Northern State held the Dragons in the next two innings and had freshman Shayla Steinley due up in the bottom of the seventh. Steinley walked, followed by Katelynn Dilts who reached on a throwing error. With no outs and runners on second and third, Jenna Helgeson placed the ball just over the first baseman's glove to score Steinley and clinch the NSU sweep.

In the 3-2 victory, the Wolves went 8-for-27 from the plate. Kateylnn Dilts led the way with two hits, followed by Lauren Kunz, Katie Dawson and Jenna Helgeson with RBIs.

Missy Elkins earned her seventh win from the mound, allowing just one earned run on the day. Elkins picked up six strikeouts with 11 forced groundouts in 23 at bats.

Northern State will continue conference action on the road where they will face Minnesota Crookston at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Bemidji State at 12 and 2 p.m. on Sunday.