The last time we saw NDSU softball in action, they dropped four of five games at the Gopher Indoor Classic. Since then, the Bison have compiled a 5-5 record, including a win against Iowa State.
Darren Mueller’s team opened Summit League play at Kansas City, and the Bison were looking for some payback as the Roos won three of four games against NDSU, including a 5-2 win in the Summit League tournament. The two teams would play to a draw in a two-game doubleheader as the Herd would take game one 9-1 in six innings while UMKC would take game two 4-2.
The Bison came out firing as they scored four runs in the top of the first as Star Cortez, Savannah Henzler, Rylee Henderson, and Jasmyn Yessian all drove in runs. Two more runs would score in the top of the second as Cortez and Chloe Woldruff both knocked in a run to make it 6-0. The RBIs kept coming early as a Zoe King flyout led to a run-scoring to make it 7-0, and then Bella Dean reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed the eighth run to score.
KC would put a run on the board in the fifth with a solo home run to draw within seven, 8-1. NDSU would secure a run-rule victory with a Star Cortez RBI double to win game one 9-1. Piper Reed was fantastic in the circle as she pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and striking out one.
Game two would get off to a rocky start as a bases-loaded walk put the Roos on top in the first. NDSU would capitalize on KC errors to tie the game in the third, but a two-run fifth inning put Kansas City in front 3-1.
The teams would cancel each other out in the sixth as a Rylee Henderson RBI single cut the Roos lead in half, but KC would respond with their own RBI in the bottom half of the inning. NDSU would be set down in order in the seventh and lose 4-2.
Madison Wihlm would start and give up one run in one inning of work before being lifted for Savy Williams, who would give up three runs on eight hits in five innings.
The series finale would determine who would open Summit League play on a high note, and Amai Hanta got the Bison off on the right foot. She would single to lead off the game and score later that inning on a wild pitch.
NDSU would add on in the second and third innings as Lileigh Nieto would hit a grounder to the pitcher that caused a KC error and a run to score as Zoe King would scamper home to make it 2-0. Hanta would show off her speed as she reached on an infield single that gave the Bison a 3-0 lead.
The Roos would get a run back in the sixth on an RBI double, but Amai Hanta would once again make a huge play as after the first hitters were retired, Hanta drew a walk, stole second, and then scored on an RBI single by Rylee Henderson to make it 4-1 NDSU.
Kansas City scored one run in the seventh, but an inning-ending double play secured NDSU’s series win. They defeated the Roos 4-2 and took the series two games to one.
Addie Bowers allowed one run on seven hits and punched out four in her five innings of work. Kaitlyn Dunford recorded a six-out save as she allowed a run and struck out one batter during her time in the circle.
The Bison have the week off before heading to Madison, Wisconsin, to take on the Badgers.