Aberdeen, S.D.  – The Northern State softball team recorded their second straight NSIC split on Saturday afternoon versus Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles tallied a late inning comeback in game one, however the Wolves tallied a shutout victory in game two.  
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Game 1 Final: NSU 3, UMC 4
Game 2 Final: NSU 3, UMC 0
Records: NSU 12-22 (4-8 NSIC), UMC 13-23 (2-10 NSIC)
 
GAME 1
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Minnesota Crookston tallied the first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning with one run
• Northern answered back in the following frame with two runs off the bat of junior Madison Rutter who tallied her third homerun of the season. Emma Terveer scored on the play after entering as a pinch runner for Jen Martin who walked
• The Wolves took a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth, as Shayla Steinley scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Jamie Fisher
• The Golden Eagles cut into the Wolves lead in the bottom of the sixth, and notched two game winning runs in the bottom of the seventh
• Northern tallied three runs on nine hits, out-hitting Crookston, with one error defensively
• Makenzie Merritt notched just her second loss of the season giving up the two earned runs in the bottom of the seventh
• Andrea Cherney started for the Wolves and threw a no-decision through 5.1 innings with two earned runs and four strikeouts

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Courtney Sjerven: 2-for-3
• Madison Rutter: 1-for-3, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR
• Rachel Reinke: 2-for-4
• Kennady Thompson: 2-for-4

 
GAME 2
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Golden Eagles held the Wolves scoreless through the first two innings, however Northern broke things open in the top of the third with two runs
• Rachel Reinke doubled to left center scoring Julia Sullwold, who reached on an error by the shortstop, and Jen Martin singled through the left side scoring Reinke
• Northern added their third and final run in the fourth, as Sara Bendt plated Madison Rutter with a sacrifice fly to center; Rutter led off the inning with a double to right
• The Wolves combined for eight team hits and three runs, with one error on defense
• Jamie Fisher snapped her loss streak throwing a 2-hit, complete game shutout

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Jen Martin: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
• Madison Rutter: 2-for-3, 1 run, double
• Jamie Fisher (3-12): 7.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 strikeout

 
UP NEXT
The Wolves return home on Wednesday afternoon, hosting Minnesota Duluth. The game has been moved to the Presentation College Dome, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. versus the Bulldogs.