Softball Perseveres in Tough Summit League Series at Omaha

The North Dakota State Bison softball team traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, to open Summit League play at Connie Claussen Field with a three-game series against the Omaha Mavericks, who are currently ranked third in the Division 1 Softball Mid-Major Poll. Although falling short in all three games, NDSU showed notable improvement as the series progressed.

To kick off the weekend, North Dakota State played game number one on Friday and fell short with a game score of 8-0 and a win for the Omaha Mavericks. Sophomore Amai Hanta had a single in the second inning and a stolen base. Senior Bella Dean also got a single hit in the fourth inning.

The pitchers for the Bison in game one were junior Madison Wihlm and senior Piper Reed. Wihlm had a strong game, allowing six runs, four earned, in 1.2 innings of work. Reed pitched the rest of the 2.1 innings, allowing two runs.

While still coming out with a 2-0 loss, day two looked much better for the Bison.

The team recorded four hits, including one from sophomore Lileigh Nieto. Sophomore Savannah Henzler and senior Ella Claus also contributed big hits, with Claus adding a stolen base. Amai Hanta then reached base after being hit by a pitch and took the third stolen base for the team.

Freshman Jocelyn McClary pitched a complete six-inning game, only allowing five hits.

The day three series finale looked more active for both teams, with the Bison falling short with a final game score of 17-7.

With her first home run of the season, Savannah Henzler helped NDSU take a 2-0 lead early in the first inning. Omaha then took a 10-run inning, making it difficult for the Bison to come back.

The sophomore Jessica Delatorre also hit her first home run of the season with another two-run shot in the fourth inning. Later that inning, junior Star Cortex added an RBI.

In the fifth inning, senior Zoe King added an RBI single, and the team scored its next run on an error. Going three-for-three on the day with two RBI and a run scored, Delatorre led the team in hits. Hanta finished with two hits, including a triple, and added an RBI and a run scored. Nieto had two walks, a stolen base, and two runs scored.

This week, the team will travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28, to play the Alabama Crimson Tide, who are currently ranked sixth in the nation with a 29-2 record.