Aberdeen, S.D.  – The Northern State University softball team opened Northern Sun Conference play with a split versus travel partner MSU Moorhead. The Wolves fell in the first game, after the Dragons forced extra innings, however solid defense and efficient pitching led to a victory in game two.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1
Northern State 4, MSU Moorhead 6 (8 inn.)
Final Score Game 2
Northern State 2, MSU Moorhead 1
Records
Northern State 9-15 (1-1 NSIC), MSU Moorhead 7-12 (1-1 NSIC)
 
GAME 1
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Wolves scored first in the bottom of the second on an RBI ground ball by Jamie Fisher, plating Courtney Sjerven who reached base via a hit-by-pitch
• The two teams were scoreless through the following three innings, before MSU Moorhead took a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth
• Northern answered back in the bottom of the frame, on a Kennady Thompson long ball to deep left centerfield. Julia Sullwold and Sara Bendt scored on the play after reaching base via singles through the left side and to center field.
• Moorhead tied the game in the top of the seventh, and the Wolves were unable to come away with the game winner in the final half inning of regulation
• The Dragons tacked on another two runs in the top of the eighth, taking a 6-4 lead which sealed the victory
• Northern tallied four runs on 12 hits, leaving 14 runners on base
• Jamie Fisher suffered her eighth loss of the 2019 season, giving up five earned runs on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Kennady Thompson: 3-for-4, 1 run, double, 3-run homerun
• Jen Martin: 3-for-4, walk
• Julia Sullwold: 3-for-3, 1 run, walk

 
GAME 2
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jamie Fisher plated the first run for the second straight game, scoring Rachel Reinke on a fly out to the second baseman. Reinke had walked earlier in the inning
• The two teams were scoreless through the second, third, and fourth innings
• NSU grabbed their second run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Jen Martin scored Reinke on a single to centerfield, after Reinke had reached base via a fielder's choice
• Taylor Roddie cut the Wolves lead to just one in the top of the sixth, with a homerun to left centerfield
• The Wolves recorded two runs on two hits, without giving up an error on defense
• Andrea Cherney tallied her fourth win of the season, and first NSIC victory throwing seven complete innings. The freshman gave up just one earned run on three hits with four strikeouts

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Kennady Thompson: 1-for-3
• Jen Martin: 1-for-3, RBI
• Rachel Reinke: 2 runs scored, 1 walk

 
UP NEXT
Northern State will host Winona State and Upper Iowa at home this weekend from the Presentation College Dome. Game times are set for 6 and 8 p.m. on Saturday versus the Warriors and 2 and 4 p.m. on Sunday against the Peacocks.