Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team put up 20 runs in their two Saturday victories from the Presentation College Dome, defeating Morningside and Valley City State. With the wins, Northern closes out the weekend 4-0 to kick off 2023.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 8, MU 7
Final Score Game 1: NSU 12, VCSU 11 (9 inn)
Records: NSU 4-0
HOW IT HAPPENED vs. MORNINGSIDE
- Northern came out on top in their highest scoring game of the season thus far to open the day
- The Wolves tallied eight runs on eight hits and suffered two errors defensively
- NSU tallied two runs in the first, three in the second, and one each in the third, fourth, and fifth
- Ashley Fauske and Kamdyn Barrientos scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first after reaching base on a double to left and fielder's choice
- The Mustangs tied the game in the bottom of the frame on a 2-run long ball, and the Wolves were not to be out-done; notching a 3-run homerun by Claire Zbylut in the top of the second (scoring Hannah Smith and Avarie Eagle)
- Kyra Knudtson tacked on a run in the third scoring on Eagle's ground out to short and Zbylut added a run in the fourth on a first and third situation play
- Zbylut scored the decisive run of the game in the top of the sixth, sitting in her second first and third situation of the contest; a poor execution by the Morningside defense and throwing mishap by the third basemen plated the Northern State infielder
- The Mustangs came knocking in the sixth, notching five runs on four hits, including a grandslam
- Northern fended off another Mustang attack in the seventh, leaving two on and sealing the win
- Lexi Chase started for the Wolves and battled through her second win of the season, throwing all seven innings of work
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
HOW IT HAPPENED vs. VALLEY CITY STATE
- The Vikings notched one run in the top of the first and took an early lead on the Wolves
- Northern answered back in the bottom of the second with three runs on four hits
- Avarie Eagle and Tevan Bryant hit back-to-back doubles to right, scoring one, and Alexandria Arndt tallied her first moonshot of the season, a 2-run homer to left
- Valley City responded scoring two three runs in the third to take the lead
- Liv Richardson got things rolling for Northern in the third with a 1-out single up the middle; she came around to score along with Knudtson on a double by Eagle which tied the game
- The Vikings added two more runs in the fifth, taking a 7-5 lead over the Wolves
- The runs kept coming for the Wolves in the fifth off the bat of Eagle with a double (scoring Knudtson and Richardson), Arndt (scoring Eagle), Zbylut with a single (scoring Arndt), and Barrientos with a single up the middle (scoring Zbylut and Smith)
- NSU led 11-7 heading into the final two innings of regulation
- VCSU stormed back with four runs in the final two innings and sent the game to extras tied at 11-all
- Neither team could plate a run in the eighth and the Wolves sealed the win in the ninth on a double to left center by Arndt (scoring Eagle)
- In total Northern tallied 12 runs on 14 hits and gave up four defensive errors
- Meghan Anderson earned her second win of the season, throwing the final three innings with two hits, one earned run, and four strikeouts
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Avarie Eagle: 3-for-5, 3 runs, 4 RBI, 3 doubles
- Alexandria Arndt: 2-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBI, double, homerun
- Tevan Bryant: 2-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, double
- Meghan Anderson: 3.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 4 strikeouts
UP NEXT
The Wolves return to the diamond February 24-26 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia. Northern State will face Carson-Newman, Georgian Court, Alabama Huntsville, West Chester, California PA, and Missouri Western State.
