Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team opened head coach
Ashley Schilling's career with a sweep over Dickinson State and Dordt, scoring a combined 11 runs.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 5, DSU 1
Final Score Game 2: NSU 6, DU 1
Records: NSU 2-0
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
- The Wolves and Bluehawks played five scoreless innings of softball to kick off the year for both programs
- Elly Smith broke through in the top of the fifth with her first homerun of the season, a long ball to left center field
- Dickinson State answered back in the bottom of the frame, scoring on a Northern State error
- The game headed to the international tie breaker rule and the Wolves took full advantage
- Claire Zyblut opened the inning with a double to right center, scoring Ashley Fauske who was placed on second
- Zbylut came around to score the following at-bat, on a double to left center by Liv Richardson
- Avarie Eagle plated the final two runs of the inning for NSU on a single to right center field
- Northern recorded five runs on nine hits with two errors defensively
- Meghan Anderson earned her first win of the season throwing all eight innings for the Wolves
- In addition, Anderson tied the Northern State single game record with 15 strikeouts
NORTHERN STATE GAME 1 STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Ashley Fauske: 2-for-3, 1 run
- Elly Smith: 2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, homerun
- Claire Zbylut: 1-for-2, 1 run, 1 RBI, double, walk
- Liv Richardson: 1-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, double
- Meghan Anderson: 8.0 IP, 1 run, 2 hits, 15 strikeouts
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
- Northern scored six runs on nine hits without giving up an error in the contest
- The Defenders scored first in the opening frame, however the Wolves grabbed the lead in the bottom of the second
- Shelby Novotny tallied a 1-out walk and came around to score on Eagle's first career homerun, a blast to left center field
- Hannah Smith followed with a double to left center field and scored the following at-bat
- The Wolves added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on singles by Hannah Smith, Jessi Hernandez, and Zbylut
- Reagan Elrod threw her first career win, notching eight strikeouts in seven complete innings
NORTHERN STATE GAME 2 STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Hannah Smith: 2-for-3, 2 runs, double
- Jessie Hernandez: 2-for-3, 1 run 1 RBI
- Liv Richardson: 2-for-4, double
- Avarie Eagle: 1-for-2, 2 runs, 2 RBI, homerun, walk
- Reagan Elrod: 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 8 strikeouts
UP NEXT
Northern State continues weekend action from the Presentation College Dome, taking on Valley City and the College of Saint Mary tomorrow. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. versus the Vikings and 12 p.m. against the Flames.