Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern State University softball team fell twice to the University of Mary on Wednesday, opening their final week of regularly scheduled home games. The Marauders scored first in each contest with the Wolves unable to get over the hump.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 5, MARY 9 (9 inn.)
Final Score Game 2: NSU 0, MARY 1
Records: NSU 20-20 (6-14 NSIC), MARY 9-31 (2-16 NSIC)
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 1
- Each team tallied one run in the opening frame, with Kyra Knudtson plating Ashey Fauske on a double to right center field for the Wolves
- It was again a one-and-one inning in the third with Knudtson notching her second double of the season, this time to left center and scoring Claire Zbylut
- UMary broke the game open in the top of the fifth with three earned runs
- Avarie Eagle led off the sixth inning scoring for NSU, belting a homerun to dead centerfield
- Elly Smith followed with a single up the middle, scoring Emma Owens, and Live Richardson connect for a double to left center, scoring Alysa Lowe
- Despite having runners on in the bottom of the seventh, Northern was unable to score the game winner as Mary notched an unassisted 5-3 double play to end the inning
- The Marauders notched four runs in the top of the ninth, securing their first league victory of 2024
- Northern tallied five runs on seven hits with one error, while Mary notched nine runs on 13 hits with three errors
- Abby Rux started in the circle for the Wolves, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits in 4.1 innings of work
- Taylor Coleman entered in relief and ultimately suffered the loss, giving up two runs on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts
- Knudtson and Richardson led the offense with two hits each
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Kyra Knudtson: 2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 1 walk
- Liv Richardson: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 double
- Avarie Eagle: 1-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 homerun
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME 2
- The Wolves and Marauders played five scoreless innings of softball in the night cap
- UMary broke through with one in the top of the sixth and it was all they needed to secure the sweep
- Northern tallied five hits and one error in the loss, while Mary notched five hits and two errors
- Lexi Chase suffered the loss, despite a solid outing with just one run, one walk, and six strikeouts in seven innings of work
NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Avarie Eagle: 1-for-2
- Elly Smith: 1-for-3
- Ashley Fauske: 1-for-4
- Claire Zbylut: 1-for-4
UP NEXT
Northern closes out their home slate on Saturday and Sunday against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth. First pitch is set for 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday against the Huskies and 12 and 2 p.m. on Sunday versus the Bulldogs.
Northern closes out their home slate on Saturday and Sunday against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth. First pitch is set for 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday against the Huskies and 12 and 2 p.m. on Sunday versus the Bulldogs.