Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team snapped a five-game losing streak today from home, defeating the Wayne State Wildcats 9-8 in game one and 10-2 after five innings in game two. With the wins, the Wolves improve to 24-17-1 overall and 9-8-1 in conference play, while the Wildcats fall to 10-32 overall and 4-14 in the NSIC.

Game One

Northern State captured the 3-0 lead early. In the bottom of the second, Jamie Fisher, Rachel Albright and Jess Vernon each singled up the middle to load the bases. Lauren Kunz and Katelyn Dilts followed with RBIs through the left side to set Shayla Steinley up with two outs. Steinley crossed the final run of the innings with a single through the right side.

The Wildcats quickly answered in the top of the third with two homeruns to tie it at 3-3.

The Wolves tacked on an additional run in the bottom of the inning, however Wayne State rallied for four runs in the fourth with a walk, two singles and a homerun.
Northern State continue to apply offensive pressure, exploding for five runs in the bottom of the fifth to gain the 9-7 advantage with two innings to play.

Wayne State cut the Wolves' lead to just one run in the top of the sixth, however Rachel Albright and the Northern State defense was able to leave them scoreless in the seventh to seal the victory.

As a unit, NSU combined for 16 hits in 30 at bats for a team batting average of .533. Senior Lauren Kunz and freshman Kennady Thompson led the Wolves from the plate going 3-for-3. Kunz knocked in a team-high four runs, while Katelynn Dilts, Shayla Steinley and Jenna Helgeson nabbed two hits a piece.

Entering in relief, Rachel Albright recorded the win from the mound, improving to 4-1 on the year. Albright held the Wildcats to one earned runs with four strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched.

Game Two

The Northern State offense did not give up momentum in game two, starting with a 4-0 lead through the first two innings.

The Wolves broke things open in the bottom of the third as Jamie Fisher led off with a single up the middle, followed by an RBI double from Rachel Albright. Carly Brousek and Lauren Kunz each walked to load the bases for Katelynn Dilts. Dilts sliced in a single into right center to give NSU the 6-0 lead.

Wayne State looked to strike a comeback in the top of the fourth as Melanie Alyea reached on an error and then scored off a double to right center. Missy Elkins forced three-straight groundouts to maintain a 6-2 lead midway through the fourth.

Kaitlyn King, Rachel Albright and Katie Dawson each singled in the bottom of the inning, followed by a walk and an RBI single for senior Katelynn Dilts fourth hit of the day to put the Wolves up by six once again.

In the bottom of the fifth, Shayla Steinley doubled to left field with Jenna Helgeson on deck. Helgeson launched a deep fly ball over the right field fence for her seventh homerun of the season. The walk-off hit sealed the 10-2 win for Northern State in five innings of action.

The Wolves tallied 14 hits in 26 at bats, led by Katelynn Dilts going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Rachel Albright, Jenna Helgeson and Katie Dawson followed up with two hits of their own in the contest.

Missy Elkins recorded her 11^th victory of the season from the mound, allowing just three hits and notching three strikeouts in five innings pitched.

The Wolves will continue action from home on Tuesday, April 18^th, facing Minnesota Duluth at 2 and 4 p.m.