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St. Cloud, Minn. – The Northern State University softball team continued their strong start to the 2024 season with wins over Black Hills State and Bemidji State on Saturday. The Wolves racked up 23 runs and 26 hits in the two wins.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 5, BHSU 2
Final Score Game 2: NSU 18, BSU 9
Records: NSU 4-0, BHSU 0-4, BSU 0-2
HOW IT HAPPENED vs. BLACK HILLS STATE
- Claire Zbylut kicked off day two for the Wolves with a homerun in the top of the first
- Northern extended their lead with three runs in the fourth on a bases loaded walk by Ashley Fauske, scoring Madi Jones, single up the middle by Zbylut, scoring Alysa Lowe, and single to center by Kyra Knudtson scoring Lexi Chase
- The Yellow Jackets rallied back in the bottom of the frame, coming within one of the Wolves
- Brooke Wolf scored the final run of the win for NSU in the top of the fifth, as a pinch runner for Kamdyn Barrientos who singled with one out
- NSU recorded their five runs on 11 hits and did not give up an error defensively
- Three Wolves tallied multiple hits in the win, led by Zbylut going 3-for-4 with two RBI
- Mckenzie Wanner made the first start of her Northern State career, earning a complete game win with six strikeouts
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
HOW IT HAPPENED vs. BEMIDJI STATE
- The night cap was a high scoring affair for the Wolves who notched 18 runs on 15 hits
- Northern kicked off the contest with six runs in the first and added two in the second, one in the third, three in the fifth, and six in the seventh
- Scoring for the Wolves in the first was Ashley Fauske, Claire Zbylut, Kyra Knudtson, Avarie Eagle, Emma Owens, and Eden Ford
- Knudtson added her second run of the contest in the second on a single by Elly Smith and Smith followed suit scoring on a double by Owens
- Alexandria Arndt crossed the plate in the third on a double to center by Fauske, after leading off the inning with a single up the middle
- All three runs in the fifth inning came off the bat of Zbylut who blasted her second homerun of the day, scoring Fauske and Chase on the play
- Run scorers in the seventh included Chase, Fauske, Zbylut, Owens, Lowe, and Eagle; the final three coming off the bat of Grace Humann with her first career hit, a double to left center
- Taylor Coleman got the start, tossing 1.2 innings with three strikeouts before Abby Rux entered in relief
- Rux secured her second win of the season in 5.1 innings of work with six hits, three earned runs, and two strikeouts
- The Wolves offense recorded nine extra base hits in the game and four stolen bases with Knudtson notching a pair of doubles and Chase recording a pair of triples
- Owens led six players with multiple hits going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, two runs scored, and a double
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Emma Owens: 3-4, 3 RBI, 2 runs, 1 double, walk
- Ashley Fauske: 2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 1 double, 1 stolen base
- Lexi Chase: 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 2 triples, 1 walk, 1 stolen base
- Kyra Knudtson: 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 walk
- Alexandria Arndt: 2-for-4, 1 run
- Claire Zbylut: 2-for-5, 4 RBI, 3 runs, 1 double, 1 homerun
- Abby Rux: 5.1 innings pitched, 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 strikeouts
UP NEXT
Northern State closes out their weekend at the Kelly Laas Tournament tomorrow versus Sioux Falls and St. Cloud State. Start times are set for 1 p.m. against the Cougars and 3 p.m. versus the host Huskies.
