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Crookston, Minn. – The Northern State University softball team finished the regular season on a 4-game win streak and 25 wins; the highest regular season win total since 2018. The Wolves two wins over the Golden Eagles on Sunday solidified them a spot in the NSIC Tournament beginning Wednesday, May 1.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 7, UMC 1
Final Score Game 2: NSU 4, UMC 3
Records: NSU 25-23 (11-17 NSIC), UMC 14-39 (7-21 NSIC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 1

• Northern scored their seven runs on nine hits with one error in their third straight victory; notching four runs in the second and three in the third
• Eden Ford kicked off the scoring the second with a 2-run double to right centerfield, plating Liv Richardson and Alexandria Arndt
• Ashley Fauske then singled in Ford and came around to score herself on a single down the left field line by Kyra Knudtson
• The three third inning runs came off the bat of Richardson on a homerun to right field; Mckenzie Wanner walked and Arndt double to right center before scoring on the Richardson long ball
• Lexi Chase tossed her tenth win of 2024, going 7-complete with one earned run, eight hits, and eight strikeouts
• Richardson and Elly Smith led the offense with two hits apiece in the win

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Liv Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, HR
• Elly Smith: 2-for-4
• Eden Ford: 1-for-2, 1 run, 2 RBI, double, 1 sacrifice
• Lexi Chase: 7.0 innings pitched, 8 hits, 1 run. 8 strikeouts

 
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 2

• Claire Zbylut and Ashley Fauske put together a little first and third tricky to open the second game with Fauske putting the Wolves on the board in the first
• Crookston tied things in the bottom of the frame and took a 3-1 lead in the second
• Northern rallied back in the top of the third with two runs of their own off the bat of Liv Richardson on a single to center; Elly Smith and Kyra Knudtson scored on the play after reaching on a pair of singles themselves
• Lexi Chase tallied a 1-out walk in the sixth and grabbed the lead for the Wolves on a double to right center by Fauske
• Abby Rux held UMC at bay in the final two frames and recorded her fifth win of 2024, giving up three runs on six hits with five strikeouts
• Fauske and Richardson teamed up to lead the offense in game two with two hits each and a combined three RBI

 
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Ashley Fauske: 2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 1 double
• Liv Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 double
• Abby Rux: 7.0 innings pitched, 6 hits, 3 runs, 5 strikeouts

 
UP NEXT
Northern earned the tenth seed in the NSIC Tournament and will face seventh seeded Minot State on Wednesday, May 1. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. from Bowden Field on the campus of Augustana University. Fan information is outlined below or available on the tournament website linked HERE.
 
NSIC TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

• Tickets: Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance of the tournament. Ticket options include a mobile version or a print at home option: www.northernsun.org/Tickets
• Entrance: Bowden Field will open for spectators one hour prior to the first game of each day. NO pets are allowed in Bowden Field, service animals are welcome
• Food/Drink: Spectators are NOT allowed to bring coolers into Bowden Field. Concessions will be available with cash & credit card options for payment
• NSIC Network Access: The NSIC tournament will be streamed on the NSIC Network for a charge of $10 per game or $25 for a tournament pass
  • FAQ and troubleshooting information is available on the NSIC Network Help page