Sioux Falls, S.D. –  The Northern State University softball team split against the University of Sioux Falls Cougars today from Sherman Park. The Wolves took game one 5-4, however suffered 1 13-5 loss in the second game. The Wolves are now 22-12-1 overall and 7-4-1 in league play, while the Cougars improve to 19-17 overall and 7-5 in the NSIC.
 
Game One
 
The two teams remained scoreless through the first three innings of action, until the Wolves put two runners on in the top of the fourth. With one out, Jess Vernon ripped a hard hit ball the to the right side to put NSU on top 2-0.
 
Katie Dawson walked to lead-off the top of the fifth and quickly advanced to scoring position as pitch runner, McKenzie Thielen, stole second base. Freshman Kennady Thompson moved Thielen to third with a groundout to the pitcher. In the next at bat, Rachel Albright beat out an infield hit to place runners on first and third for Katelynn Dilts. Dilts connected for an RBI single to third to tack on Northern State's third run of the game. Due up next, Jamie Fisher and Jess Vernon each batted in a run to give the Wolves a 5-0 advantage through their first five at bats.
 
The Cougars responded to the five-run deficit in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings by tallying four runs off six hits, a walk and a hit batter. Entering in relief, Senior Missy Elkins forced a ground out to second base to end the inning with two runners stranded on the base paths.
 
Both teams were shut out in the seventh inning, and the Wolves would go on to clinch their 22^nd win of the 2017 season.
 
As a unit, Northern State batted .313 with ten combined hits. Shayla Steinley, Rachel Albright, Katelyn Dilts, and Jamie Fisher each recorded two hits to lead the wolves offensively.
 
From the mound, Jamie Fisher improved to 9-5 on the year. Jamie Fisher forced five ground outs and seven fly outs in 4.1 innings of work. Senior Missy Elkins earned her first save of the season, holding the Cougars to two hits in two innings pitched.
 
Game Two
 
The Northern State offense tacked on their first run of the second game after Katelynn Dilts was hit by a pitch to give the Wolves a base runner with just one out. Jenna Helgeson advanced Dilts into scoring position with Katie Dawson due up to the plate next. Dawson singled to left center to put NSU on top by a run.
 
The Norther State offensive rallied in the top of the second as Rachel Albright singled to left to lead off the inning. Jamie Fisher launched a double to left center to put runners on second and third with no outs. Junior Carly Brousek singled down the right field line to score Albright from third. With one out, Shayla Steinley grounded out to the USF second baseman, followed by a Katelynn Dilts RBI single to put the Wolves on top 4-0. Jenna Helgeson ripped a double to left center to score the final run of the inning for Northern State.
 
The University of Sioux Falls recorded 13 uncontested runs in the next three innings to seal the 13-5 victory in five innings. The Wolves notch seven hits in 22 at bats for a team batting average of .318. Both Jenna Helgeson and Jamie Fisher each connected for doubles, while five different batters recorded RBIs in the contest.
 
Missy Elkins suffered the loss from the mound, falling to 10-8 on the year.
 
Northern State will hit the road again on Wednesday April 12 versus the University of Mary Marauders. Games are scheduled for 2 and 4 P.M.