Sioux Center, Iowa – The Northern State University softball team faced off again the University of Sioux Falls from Open Space Park on Friday afternoon, falling 13-4 in game one and 1-0 in game two. The Wolves combined for nine team hits in the two games.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 4, USF 13 (6 Inn.)
Final Score Game 2: NSU 0, USF 1
Records: NSU 7-21 (1-7 NSIC), USF 14-13 (5-3 NSIC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• Sioux Falls jumped out to an early 5-run lead through the first two innings, however, the Wolves kick started their rally in the third
• Northern scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning, cutting the USF lead to just two
• Claire Zyblut tallied the first RBI of the game for the Wolves, scoring Lexi Chase on a double to right
• Ashley Fauske scored the following play on a ground-out by Liv Richardson, while Zyblut came around and touched home on a bunt single by Avarie Eagle
• Eagle scored the final run of the inning for the Wolves on a single to right field by Emma Owens
• The Cougars buckled down and held the Wolves scoreless in the final three innings
• Northern tallied six hits in the game and gave up five errors defensively, which resulted in five unearned runs
• Sioux Falls recorded 13 runs and 15 hits in the six inning contest, notching three runs in the first, two in the second, one in the third, three in the fourth, two in the fifth, and two in the sixth
• Meghan Anderson started in the circle for the Wolves, giving up five earned runs (nine total) on ten hits with three strikeouts
• Abby Meads and Lexi Chase entered, throwing the final 2.0 innings of work

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Claire Zyblut: 2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, double
• Emma Owens: 1-for-2, 1 RBI
• Avarie Eagle: 1-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI

 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• Sioux Falls tallied the lone run of the contest in the top of the fourth on a double down the right field line
• The Cougars recorded seven hits, while the Wolves notched three and each team committed a defense error
• Liv Richardson led the Northern State offense with two hits in the game, including a leadoff double in the top of the seventh
• Lexi Chase threw a gem, however did not come away with the win, giving up just one earned run and seven hits in 7.0 innings of work

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Liv Richardson: 2-for-3, double
• Claire Zbylut: 1-for-3

 
UP NEXT
The Wolves return to action tomorrow from Sioux Center against Southwest Minnesota State. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. in a doubleheader versus the Mustangs.