Aberdeen, S.D. – Returning home to Moccasin Creek, the Northern State University softball team dropped a pair of conference games to Augustana University. The Wolves lost to the Vikings in a close 5-4 decision in game one and fell 6-2 in game two. Northern is now 22-17-1 overall and 7-8-1 in conference play, while Augustana improves to 28-10 overall and 13-3 in the NSIC.

Game One

The Wolves jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning as Shayla Steinley walked and quickly advanced to third on a stolen base and a short hop throw to second by the Augustana catcher. With two outs, freshman Kennady Thompson connected for a singled up the middle to score Steinley and put the Wolves up 1-0.

Augustana captured the 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth off three hits and an error. The Vikings extended their lead in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs with two hits and an error.

The Wolves responded in the bottom of the same innings as Jenna Helgeson launched a solo homerun to left field to cut NSU's deficit in half. Katie Dawson continued the late inning rally with a single up the middle. Pinch runner, Mackenzie Thielen, stole second to place a runner in scoring position for senior Rachel Albright. Albright hit the ball to the shortstop, forcing an error and scoring Thielen on the overthrow. Jamie Fisher went on to tie the game at 4-4 with a base hit up the middle.

Augustana tallied a double, a single and a walk in the top of the seventh to gain the one run lead and eventually the 5-4 victory in game one.

As a unit, NSU combined for four hits in 26 at bats. Jenna Helgeson, Kennady Thompson, Katie Dawson and Jamie Fisher recorded hits in the contest.

Jamie Fisher suffered the loss from the mound, falling to 9-7 on the year. Fisher gave up just two earned runs with two strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.

Game Two

Augustana earned a 6-0 lead in the second contest of the day, as freshman pitcher, Olivia Wolters, held a perfect game through the first five innings from the mound.

Looking to rattle Wolters, Jamie Fisher launched a lead-off double to right center. With one out, senior Lauren Kunz kept the rally alive with a two-run blast to left field.

Down by four in the bottom of the seventh, Kennady Thompson led off with a double once again for the Wolves, however the Augustana defense sealed the final three putouts to end the game 6-2.

From the plate, Northern State tallied three hits off the bats of Kennady Thompson, Jamie Fisher and Lauren Kunz. Kunz led the Wolves with both runs batted in.

Rachel Albright was handed her first loss of the year from the mound, falling to 3-1 overall. Albright forced nine groundouts and allowed just three earned runs in 4.0 innings. In 3.0 innings of relief, Missy Elkins recorded one strikeout with one earned run.

The Wolves will face the Wayne State Wildcats tomorrow at 12 and 2 p.m. from the Mocassin Creek Softball Complex.