Moorhead, MN (NSUWolves.c0m) – The Northern State University softball team split with MSU Moorhead on Tuesday in league action, opening the day with a 6-inning win.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 15, MSUM 5 (6 innings)
Final Score Game 2: NSU 1, MSUM 4
Records: NSU 16-14 (2-8 NSIC), MSUM 18-14 (5-5 NSIC)
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 1
- The Wolves scored early and often in their mercy rule victory in game one, notching 15 runs on 14 hits
- Northern notched four runs in the first, one in the third, three in the fourth, and seven in the sixth
- Scorers in the first inning included Ashley Fauske (on a single by Kyra Knudtson), Taylor Coleman (on a ground-out by Claire Zbylut), Elly Smith (on a ground ball by Avarie Eagle), and Knudtson (on a ground-out by Liv Richardson)
- In the top of the third, Richardson doubled in Knudtson, giving Northern a 5-0 lead
- NSU extended that lead to eight in the fourth with runs scored by Fauske (on a single by Knudtson), Smith (on a walk by Eagle), and Knudtson (on a sacrifice fly by Richardson)
- Moorhead responded in the bottom of the frame with five runs, however the Wolves were not finished
- Northern sealed the mercy rule in the sixth, scoring seven runs on five hits, including three RBIs by Coleman, two by Zbylut on her third homerun of the season, and one by Smith
- Five Wolves recorded multiple hits in the win, led by Knudtson going 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two RBI
- Lexi Chase started, throwing her fifth win of the 2024 season, while the Dragons threw four different pitchers in the loss
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Kyra Knudtson: 3-for-3, 2 RBI, 4 runs, 2 walks, 1 stolen base
- Liv Richardson: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 run, 1 double, 1 sacrifice fly
- Elly Smith: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1 walk
- Taylor Coleman: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 runs, 1 double
- Lexi Chase: 6.0 innings pitched, 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 strikeouts, win
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 2
- The teams were scoreless through the first two innings, with MSU Moorhead notching four runs in the bottom of the third
- Claire Zbylut added her second homerun of the day in the top of the fourth, scoring the Wolves first and ultimately only run of the contest
- Northern tallied one run on four hits with an error, while Moorhead notched four runs on two hits with an error
- Zbylut led the offense, while Liv Richardson tallied a double as well
- Despite a solid outing, Abby Rux suffered her sixth loss of the season, giving up two earned runs on two hits with five strikeouts
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Claire Zbylut: 1-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 homerun
- Liv Richardson: 1-for-3, 1 double
UP NEXT
Northern remains on the road this weekend at Sioux Falls and Wayne State. The doubleheaders are set to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday versus the Cougars and 12 p.m. on Sunday against the Wildcats.