Wolves Drop Pair Of Series To Open NSIC Play

Posted on March 24, 2024 by - Sports

Sioux Center, Iowa – (NSUWolves.com) The Northern State University softball team dropped their opening day of NSIC contests to Augustana University on Friday. The Wolves tallied eight hits between the two contests, however costly game two errors resulted in a 6-inning loss to the Vikings.

 

THE QUICK DETAILS

Final Score Game 1: NSU 0, AU 4

Final Score Game 2: NSU 1, AU 9 (6 Inn.)

Records: NSU 14-8 (0-2 NSIC), AU 17-12 (2-0 NSIC)

 

HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 1

  • Augustana notching three runs in the second and one in the third to secure their first league victory of the year
  • The Wolves tallied four hits in game one and left two runners on base in the loss to AU ace Grace Glanzer
  • Northern’s four hits were singles off the bats of Taylor Coleman, Claire Zbylut, Kyra Knudtson, and Lexi Chase
  • Chase started for the Wolves in the circle, giving up four earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts in her third loss of the season

 

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Lexi Chase: 1-for-2
  • Kyra Knudtson: 1-for-3
  • Claire Zbylut: 1-for-3
  • Taylor Coleman: 1-for-3

 

HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 2

  • The Wolves scored first in game two on a bases loaded walk to Emma Owens; Ashley Fauske scored on the play after leading off the contest with a walk of her own
  • The Vikings tallied five runs in the third, tow in the fourth, and one apiece in the fifth and sixth
  • NSU recorded on run on four hits with two errors, while AU notched nine runs on 12 hits with two errors
  • Abby Rux suffered the loss, giving up four earned runs on 12 hits with two strikeouts
  • Claire Zbylut led the offense with two hits, while three Wolves recorded a hit and five walked

 

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Claire Zbylut: 2-for-3

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Mankato, MN (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern State University softball team battled Saturday afternoon in the second day of NSIC action but came up just short against Minnesota State. The Wolves fought from behind in each contest, scoring six runs total on the day.

 

THE QUICK DETAILS

Final Score Game 1: NSU 3, MSU 5

Final Score Game 2: NSU 3, MSU 4

Records: NSU 14-10 (0-4 NSIC), MSU 22-8 (2-2 NSIC)

 

HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 1

  • Northern tallied three runs on seven hits in game one, however came up two runs short of Minnesota State
  • Neither team played perfect defense with the Wolves notching one error, resulting in two unearned runs, and the Mavericks tallied two errors
  • MSU put up three runs in the bottom of the third and NSU responded in their next plate appearances
  • Kyra Knudtson doubled in Emma Owens on a ball to center field and the scoreboard red 3-1
  • The Wolves added a pair of runs in the fifth, tying the game, on a double to center by Claire Zbylut, scoring Taylor Coleman and Ashley Fauske
  • The Mavericks tallied their game winning runs in the bottom of the sixth on an infield throwing mishap
  • Fauske led the Wolves offense with two hits, while Zbylut notched a team leading two RBI and one of three doubles
  • Coleman started in the circle, throwing three innings with three earned runs given up on three hits
  • Abby Rux entered in relief and ultimately suffered the loss, giving up two runs on two hits in three innings of work

 

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Ashley Fauske: 2-for-3, 1 run
  • Claire Zbylut: 1-for-3, double, 2 RBI, 1 walk
  • Kyra Knudtson: 1-for-3, double, 1 RBI
  • Elly Smith: 1-for-4, double

 

HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 2

  • Mankato tallied one run in the first and three in the third, holding their 4-0 lead through four complete
  • Northern State rallied with three runs on four hits in the fifth, cutting the MSU lead to just one
  • Liv Richardson belted a 1-out, 2-run homerun to right field kicking off the scoring for Northern State; Ashley Fauske also scored on the play
  • Pinch running for Elly Smith, who single to center, Brooke Wolf came around to score the team’s third run of the game on a double to left by Emma Owens
  • The Wolves threatened in both the sixth and seventh innings, leaving the game tying run on first base
  • Mckenzie Wanner started for Northern, giving up four runs on five hits in three innings of work; the freshman suffered the loss
  • Lexi Chase entered throwing the final three innings and held the Mavericks at bay, giving up just one hit with three strikeouts
  • Kyra Knudtson led the offense with three hits in the game

 

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

  • Kyra Knudtson: 3-for-4
  • Ashley Fauske: 2-for-4, 1 double, 1 run
  • Liv Richardson: 2-for-4, 1 triple, 1 homerun, 1 run, 2 RBI

 

UP NEXT

Northern State is set to host Winona State and Concordia-St. Paul next Friday and Saturday in Aberdeen. Doubleheader start times are set for 1 p.m. on Friday against the Warriors and 12 p.m. on Saturday versus the Golden Bears. With the forecasted winter storms across the region this weekend and into early next week, fans are reminded to stay tuned to nsuwolves.com for all schedule changes and updates.

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