St. Paul, Minn. – After facing No. 11 Minnesota State yesterday, the Northern State University softball team bounced back to sweep Concordia- St. Paul today from Carlander Field. The Wolves took game one 11-4 and game two 1-0 to improve to 27-20-1 overall and 12-11-1 in the NSIC. The Golden Bears fall to 15-30 overall and 7-17 in conference play.

Game One

Concordia- St. Paul jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, however the Wolves snuck back in the top of the second as senior Lauren Kunz launched a two-run homerun over the left field fence to cut NSU's deficit to just one run.

The Wolves captured the lead in the third as Shayla Steinley, Kennady Thompson, Jamie Fisher and Katie Dawson strung together base hits and give Northern the 5-3 advantage.

With Fisher and King on base in the fifth, Lauren Kunz connected for her sixth homerun of the year to boosts the Wolves' lead to five runs.

Northern once again combined for three runs in the top of the sixth by reaching base on two errors, drawing two walks and a single up the middle off the bat of Kaitlyn King.

The Wolves held the Golden Bears to one run in the final two innings to seal the 11-4 victory. As a unit, NSU rallied for 12 hits from the plate. Lauren Kunz had a career-game with two homeruns and six runs batted in. Jamie Fisher recorded three hits in five at bats, while King and Steinley tallied two each.

Fisher allowed just six hits and four earned runs in seven complete innings from the mound. The sophomore is now 11-8 overall in the 2017 season.

Game Two

The second game of the day proved to be a defensive battle between the two opponents. Northern tacked on the lone run in the top of the fifth as Mackenzie Thielen drew a walk with one out. Katelynn Dilts laid down a sac bunt and reached on an error by the pitch. With two runners on, Jenna Helgeson placed a single through the right side to score Thielen from second to make it 1-0 Wolves.

Concordia- St. Paul threatened in the bottom of the seventh with a pair of base runners in scoring position. Justine Schattner launched a line drive to right field into the glove of Ashley Clapp as Sarahe Kivisto looked to tag from third base. Clapp fired home to catcher Carly Brousek to make the tag and end the game in favor of the Wolves.

Northern combined for five hits in 26 at bats, led by Katelynn Dilts going 2-for-3. Jenna Helgeson, Kennady Thompson and Lauren Kunz each notched base hits in the contest.

Missy Elkins added her third shutout of the season, recording four strikeouts in seven complete innings pitched.

The Wolves will continue action from home this Wednesday, April 26^th versus Minot State. Games are scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m. from the Moccasin Creek Softball Complex.