Columbus, Ga. – The Northern State University softball team opened the NFCA Leadoff Classic with losses to Carson-Newman and Georgian Court. The Wolves fell in five innings to the Eagles and battled the Lions into extra innings.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 3, CN 11 (5 Inn.)
Final Score Game 1: NSU 2, GCU 3 (8 Inn.)
Records: NSU 4-2
 
HOW IT HAPPENED vs. CARSON-NEWMAN

• A drawn out second inning that saw the Eagles score seven runs ultimately made the difference in game one
• Carson-Newman scored first with one run to open the game, however the Wolves answered back and grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first frame
• Taylor Hoelscher kicked off her Northern State career with a homerun to left center and tied the game with one swing of the bat
• Elly Smith stepped to the plate with the bases loaded following a hit-by-pitch to Claire Zyblut, single by Kyra Knudtson, and walked to Tevan Bryant
• Smith poked a single through the center and scored Zyblut in the Wolves lone lead of the contest
• The Eagles broke things open in the second with seven runs and added one in the third and two in the top of the fifth; leading 11-2 heading into the bottom of the inning
• Hoelscher kicked off the inning with a single to center and came around to score on a groundout by Avarie Eagle
• Northern was unable to keep the rally alive and ultimately fell by mercy rule
• The Wolves tallied their three runs on six hits and gave up two errors defensively
• Lexi Chase suffered the loss, giving up four earned runs (eight total) on eight hits

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Taylor Hoelscher: 2-for-3, 2 runs, homerun
• Claire Zyblut: 2-for-2, 1 run, double

 
HOW IT HAPPENED vs. GEORGIAN COURT

• The Lions opened the game with one run in the bottom of the first inning
• Northern tied things in the top of the fourth on a bases loaded walk to Eden Ford; the play scored Avarie Eagle who opened the rally with a single down the third baseline
• It was Ford again in the top of the sixth, hitting in Alexandria Arndt on a fly ball to center
• Georgian Court quickly answered back, tying the game at two in the bottom of the frame
• The Wolves were unable to execute in the top of the eighth and plate Arndt who was placed on second via the international tie breaker rule
• GCU opened the frame with a single to left that scored the runner and secured the victory
• Northern out-hit Georgian Court in the game, notching their two runs on eight hits with two errors on defense
• Meghan Anderson suffered her first loss of the season giving up just one earned run and two walks, while striking out 12

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Avarie Eagle: 2-for-4, 1 run
• Ashley Fauske: 2-for-4, stolen base
• Eden Ford: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, walk

 
UP NEXT
Northern returns to the diamond tomorrow at 2 p.m. versus No. 17 Alabama Huntsville and 4:30 p.m. against West Chester.