Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com)  [Day 1] – The Northern State University softball team opened their Aberdeen slate this afternoon, coming away with a split against Winona State. The Wolves combined for 18 hits and six runs in the two wins.

THE QUICK DETAILS

Final Score Game 1: NSU 4, WSU 1

Final Score Game 2: NSU 2, WSU 8

Records: NSU 15-11 (1-5 NSIC), WSU 20-12 (4-2 NSIC)

HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 1

• Winona State scored first in game one with a single run in the top of the third and Northern quickly responded
• The Wolves tallied three runs on four hits in the third, taking the lead
• Ashley Fauske led off the inning with a single up the middle and came around to score on an Elly Smith single to center
• Kyra Knudtson gave the Wolves the lead on a single up the middle, scoring Taylor Coleman who reach on her own up the middle single
• Smith scored the final run of the inning for NSU on a sacrifice fly to center by Richardson
• Claire Zbylut and Lexi Chase connected for Northern’s fourth run in the bottom of the sixth on a double to center by Zbylut (a ball that actually cleared the fence by was ruled a ground rule double due to dome fence regulations)
• Lexi Chase put together a solid outing in the circle, giving up just one earned run on six hits in her fourth win of the season
• Eight Wolves tallied a hit in the win, with Fauske notching a team leading two

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Ashley Fauske: 2-for-4, 1 run
• Claire Zbylut: 1-for-4, 1 RBI, double
• Liv Richardson: 1-for-2, 1 RBI, sacrifice fly, double
• Lexi Chase: 7.0 innings pitched, 4 strikeouts, 1 earned run, win, 1-for-3, 1 run scored

HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 2

• The Warriors took an early lead in game two, notching three runs a piece in the first and second
• Northern chipped away with one run in the third, off the bat of Claire Zbylut, scoring Lexi Chase
• NSU added the second and final run in the fifth on a successful first-and-third situation by Eden Ford, stealing home
• Winona State tacked on two more runs in the sixth sealing the 8-2 victory
• The Wolves tallied nine hits and left six runners on base in the loss that saw both Ashley Fauske and Chase record a team leading two hits
• Abby Rux started for NSU and suffered the loss, giving up six earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

• Lexi Chase: 2-for-3, 1 run, double
• Ashley Fauske: 2-for-4

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• Concordia tallied all six of their runs in the first two innings with three a piece in the first and second
• CSP recorded six runs on seven hits, while NSU was held scoreless with four hits and one error
• Taylor Coleman suffered her first loss of the 2024 season, giving up three runs in the first inning
• Coleman led the offense with two of the team’s four hits

• Taylor Coleman: 2-for-4
• Kamdyn Barrientos: 1-for-2
• Kyra Knudtson: 1-for-3

• The Golden Bears jumped out to a 4-run lead in the first and the Wolves battled back in the bottom of the frame
• Taylor Coleman, Elly Smith, and Emma Owens scored in the first on a double by Owens down the left field line and single to center by Claire Zbylut
• CSP added two more runs in the second, taking a 6-3 lead, and NSU notched one in the bottom of the second
• Coleman doubled in Avarie Eagle, bringing Northern within two of Concordia-St. Paul
• The Wolves added their fifth and final run in the fourth on a sacrifice line-out by Kyra Knudtson, scoring Ashley Fauske
• It was all Concordia-St. Paul from there on out with five runs in the fifth and one in the seventh
• Northern tallied five runs on nine hits with two errors, while Concordia recorded 12 runs on 14 hits with one error
• Lexi Chase suffered the loss, giving up 11 earned runs in 4.2 innings of work
• Coleman led the Wolves offense with three hits, including two doubles, followed by Zbylut and Eagle with two hits apiece

• Taylor Coleman: 3-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 2 doubles
• Avarie Eagle: 2-for-4, 1 run, 2 doubles
• Claire Zbylut: 2-for-4, 2 RBI