Bismarck, N.D. – In a midweek battle, the Northern State University softball team dropped two road games versus the University of Mary Marauders, falling 5-2 in game one and 7-1 in game two. With the losses, the Wolves dip to 22-15-1 overall on the year and 7-6-1 in conference play, while the Marauders improve to 13-26 overall and 7-7 in the NSIC with a four-game win-streak.
Game One
The University of Mary scored first in the bottom of the second as the NSU defense unraveled, giving up two runs on three errors and two walks. After escaping a bases loaded jam, the Wolves would end the inning down by two with plenty of game left.
In the bottom of the sixth, however, the Marauders connected for four singles and drew a walk to extend their lead to 5-0.
Down by five, the Northern State offense was faced with their final at bats in the top of the seventh.
Jamie Fisher blasted the first pitch of the inning to left field for a lead-off double, and quickly advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Lauren Kunz walked to put runners on the corners for
Jenna Helgeson. The sophomore launched another double to left to score Fisher and Kunz. In the next two plate appearances, the Marauders forced a groundout to short and a fly out to centerfield to seal three-run victory in the middle of the seventh.
As a unit, the Wolves recorded seven hits in 29 at bats for a team batting average of .241.
Kennady Thompson led NSU from the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3, while
Jenna Helgeson tallied the two runs batted in.
Jamie Fisher suffered the loss from the mound, dropping to 9-6 overall. Fisher allowed just five hits in seven innings of work, holding the Marauders to three earned runs.
Game Two
The Marauders were first to tack on runs once again in game two, notching four runs off four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Northern State responded to the deficit in the top of the sixth as pinch hitter,
Mackenzie Thielen, walked to give the Wolves a base runner. With one out,
Katie Dawson doubled down the left field line to place two runners in scoring position for senior
Rachel Albright. Albright lifted a fly ball to centerfield to score Thielen from third and give NSU their first run of the contest.
U-Mary rallied in the bottom of the sixth, tacking on three runs off five singles.
Rachel Albright entered in relief with one out and forced a groundball to freshman
Kennady Thompson for the double play to leave the bases loaded.
Madison Rutter and
Lauren Kunz each singled in the top of the seventh, however the Wolves were unable to mount a comeback and would go on to drop their third-straight conference game.
Northern nabbed six team hits, led by
Jenna Helgeson with a double and a triple in four plate appearances.
From the mound,
Missy Elkins falls to 10-9 on the year. Elkins allowed ten hits and seven earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched.
The Wolves will return home to the Moccasin Creek Softball Complex where they will face Augustana University at 1 and 3 p.m. on Friday and Wayne State at 12 and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
