Marshall, Minn. – The Northern State University softball team extends their win streak to three-straight games after sweeping Southwest Minnesota State. The Wolves downed the Mustangs 7-1 in game one and 6-2 in game two. NSU improved to 21-12-1 overall and 6-3-1 in the NSIC, while SMSU falls to 13-13 overall and 4-6 in conference play.
Game One
The Wolves tacked on a run in both the second and third inning to take the 2-0 lead in the first contest of the day. Northern State lengthened their lead in the top of the fourth with two lead off hits to the SMSU shortstop. With two runners on,
Courtney Sjerven advanced both runners into scoring position for
Jenna Helgeson. The sophomore singled through the right side to give the Wolves a four-run advantage.
Southwest tallied one run in the bottom of the sixth off a single to left field and a double to right center, however the Wolves added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh to seal the 7-1 victory.
As unit, Northern State collected nine hits in 31 at bats.
Kennady Thompson and
Katie Dawson led the team with two hits each. Thompson recorded a team-high two runs batted in with a double and a triple as the designated hitter.
From the mound,
Jamie Fisher held the Mustangs to just one earned run in seven complete innings. Fisher ended the outing with four strikeouts and 12 forced groundouts.
Game Two
Northern State notched their first runs of the game in the top of the fourth as
Katie Dawson and
Kennady Thompson both reached base on SMSU errors. An infield groundout off the bat of
Rachel Albright put the Wolves up 1-0.
The Wolves kept their momentum alive in the top of the fifth.
Shayla Steinley connected for an infield base hit with one out.
Katie Dawson scored Steinley in the next at bat, followed by
Kennady Thompson with an RBI single. With two outs, Kateylnn Dilts doubled to right center to give NSU the four-run lead with two innings to play.
In the top of the sixth, NSU added a pair of runs off two base hits and an error to make it a 6-0 game.
Down to their last at bats, the Mustangs connected for four sinlges to the outfield to tack on two runs, however it was not enough to mount a comeback against the Wolves.
NSU nabbed nine hits in 35 at bats from the plate.
Kennady Thompson led Northern State once again, going 3-for-4 with one run batted in and two runs scored.
Missy Elkins held the Mustangs scoreless through six innings, allowing just two earned runs to close out the game. Elkins collected five strikeouts in 30 faced batters.
The Wolves will continue action on the road tomorrow at 12 and 2 p.m. versus the University of Sioux Falls.
