St. Cloud, MN (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern State University softball team grabbed their first NSIC victory of 2023 this afternoon, shutting out Minnesota Crookston in game two. The Wolves tallied 12 hits and scored a combined ten runs in the two contests.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 3, UMC 6
Final Score Game 2: NSU 7, UMC 0
Records: NSU 7-17 (1-3 NSIC), UMC 13-16 (1-3 NSIC)
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
- Northern scored their three runs on four hits, however, gave up six defensive errors which resulted in 4 unearned runs
- Avarie Eagle kicked off the scoring for the Wolves, successfully executing a squeeze play that scored Ashley Fauske in the bottom of the first
- Minnesota Crookston tied the game in the top of the third and Northern regained the lead in the fourth
- Lexi Chase and Fauske tallied back-to-back 2-out walks and Claire Zyblut scored the pair on a single to left
- The Golden Eagles broke things open in the fourth, scoring five runs and grabbing the 6-3
- Northern left two runners on base in the final three innings and ultimately fell
- Abby Rux suffered her sixth loss of the season, giving up two earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Liv Richardson: 1-for-3, walk
- Kyra Knudtson: 1-for-3, walk
- Emma Owens: 1-for-3
- Claire Zbylut: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
- It was all Northern State in game two as the Wolves tallied two runs in the second, two in the third, and three in the sixth
- Meghan Anderson threw her third win of the 2023 season, giving up just three hits and striking out seven in the shut-out
- Avarie Eagle and Kyra Knudtson kicked off the second for the Wolves with a single to left and walk
- The pair came around to score on a double to left by Emma Owens
- Northern added two more runs in the fourth off the bats of Knudtson (sacrifice fly scoring Claire Zyblut) and Elly Smith (single to left scoring Eagle)
- The sixth inning saw Eden Ford score on error by the Golden Eagle shortstop and Fauske and Lexi Chase score on a single to left by Liv Richardson
- Five Wolves tallied a hit in the win, while Eagle, Smith, and Owens notched a multiple hit game
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Emma Owens: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, double
- Elly Smith: 2-for-3, 1 RBI
- Avarie Eagle: 2-for-4, 2 runs
- Meghan Anderson: 7.0 innings pitched, 3 hits, 7 strikeouts, win
UP NEXT
Northern State will face Minnesota Duluth tomorrow in the St. Cloud Dome. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. on the doubleheader. Full game preview can be found below. With the colder than normal temperatures and snowy conditions this spring, fans are reminded to stay tuned to nsuwolves.com and the Wolves Athletics social media accounts for all spring schedule changes.
MINNESOTA DULUTH STORYLINES
- The Bulldogs enter the doubleheader with a 19-6 record overall and 5-1 mark in the Northern Sun
- Minnesota Duluth is hitting .284 with 183 hits, 43 doubles, 12 triples, 16 homeruns, 128 RBI, and 142 runs scored
- Sidney Zavoral and Corrie Weise lead the team hitting .379 and .365 this season, with Zavoral notching a team best 25 hits, 18 RBI, and four homeruns
- The Bulldog pitching staff posts a 1.94 ERA through 162.2 innings pitched with 153 strikeouts and a .199 opponent batting average
- Mady Stariha is 6-2 on the year with a 1.38 ERA and 21 strikeouts, while Lauren Dixon is 7-2 overall with a 2.09 ERA and 94 strikeouts
- Duluth is led by head coach Lynn Anderson in her second season at the helm
LAST MEETING
- The Bulldogs took two from the Wolves in 2022, with game scores of 8-0 and 13-4
- Northern is 7-56 all-time against Minnesota Duluth