Aberdeen, S.D. – In doubleheader one of their six-game week, the Northern State University softball team recorded a split against Minot State, dropping game one 6-2 and then clinching game two 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh. With the split, the Wolves are now 28-21-1 overall and 13-12-1 in conference play, while the Beavers push to 21-18 overall and an even 13-13 in the NSIC.
Game One
After three scoreless innings, Minot State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth as Ashley Hill led off with a homerun to right center to give the Beavers an early advantage.
Northern State responded in the bottom of the fifth as senior
Katelynn Dilts singled up the middle, and advanced into scoring position from a
Shayla Steinley sacrifice bunt.
Jenna Helgeson walked and Kennady Thomson reached on an error, scoring Dilts from second to make it a 1-1 contest.
The Minot State offense rallied in the top of the sixth, stringing together six hits and a walk for five runs.
NSU looked to chip away at the deficit in the bottom of the inning as
Rachel Albright and
Kaitlyn King each singled up the middle with one out.
Lauren Kunz reached on a fielder's choice, while
Katelynn Dilts drew a walk to load the bases for
Shayla Steinley. The freshman connected for an infield single to score Albright, however with two outs the Wolves were unable to keep the bats alive for four more runs.
As a unit, Northern State tallied seven hits and three walks in 29 at bats.
Shayla Steinley led the team from the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run batted.
Jamie Fisher was handed the loss in the circle, falling to 11-9 on the year. Fisher allowed nine hits and six earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched. In 1.2 innings of relief,
Rachel Albright held the Beavers to one hit and no earned runs.
Game Two
Ashley Hill captured the lead first once again for Minot State in game two, mirroring her solo homerun from the first game of the day.
Down by one, the Wolves answered in the bottom of the same inning as
Jenna Helgeson led off with an infield base hit.
Kennady Thompson bunted to the right side to move Helgeson into scoring position for
Rachel Albright. Next, Albright launched a double to right center to tie the game, followed by an RBI single to left field by
Kaitlyn King to put the Wolves up 2-1.
Minot State combined for three hits and a walk to score two runs in the top of the fifth, giving themselves a two-run lead with two innings left to play.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Wolves were down to their last at bats with pinch hitter,
Mackenzie Thielen at the plate. Thielen reached base on an error, followed by a single to center field by senior
Lauren Kunz and a walk by
Katelynn Dilts. In the next at bat,
Jenna Helgeson connected for an infield RBI to make it a 4-3 game with the bases loaded for sophomore
Jamie Fisher. Fisher blasted a single up the middle to score Helgeson and Steinley and clinch the Northern State victory.
The Wolves notched nine hits in 29 at bats as a team.
Jamie Fisher led the NSU offense with three hits and two RBIs in four plate appearances.
Jenna Helgeson recorded two hits, one RBI and two runs scored.
Missy Elkins was awarded the win from the mound, improving to 13-10 overall in her senior campaign. Elkins tallied six strikeouts, while holding the Beavers to four earned runs in seven complete innings pitched.
The Wolves will close out conference play from home this weekend, facing Winona State at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Upper Iowa at 12 and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
