February 11, 2018

ABERDEEN, S.D. – NCAA Division II Northern State (S.D.) raced to a 4-0 first-inning lead over Dakota State (S.D.) Sunday afternoon in the second game of the Presentation (S.D.) Softball Dome Tournament.  The Wolves held the Trojans' late-game comeback, hanging on to a 5-3 victory.

Dakota State fell to 0-2 overall record.  Northern State finished the tournament with a 2-2 record.

The Wolves exploded for four runs in the opening inning, all four runs scored with two outs.  Jami Fisher hit an RBI single to score the game's first run, followed by Kennady Thompson's 2-RBI double and Madison Rutter's RBI single to give NSU a 4-0 lead.

Rutter added an RBI sacrifice fly to extend Wolves' lead to 5-0 in the top third frame.

Dakota State ended their scoring drought with a pair of runs in the bottom sixth inning.  Nicole Stewart led off with a single.  Lucero followed up with a double and advanced Erin Newbury (pinch runner for Stewart) to third base.  Newbury scored home caused by NSU's wild pitch as DSU trailed 5-1 with one out (Lucero advanced to third base).

The Trojans made it 5-2 after Lucero scored home, despite a double-play by the Wolves to end the sixth inning.

DSU's comeback fell short in the bottom half of the seventh inning.  Poe started with a single for the Trojans.  Megan Zephier reached safely on base with two outs caused by Wolves' defensive error, advancing Poe to third base.  Stewart hit an RBI single up the middle and scored Poe as the Trojans cut NSU's lead to 5-3.

Dakota State left two runners on base when the game ended.

Stewart went 2-of-4 at the plate with two singles and an RBI for DSU.  Lucero added a double, single and a run scored.  Xitlali Lopez and Poe each had a hit. 

Thompson was 3-of-3 at the plate with a double, two singles and two RBIs for Northern State.  Jenna Helgeson, Katie Dawson, Fisher and Rutter each added a hit.  Rutter had two RBIs.

The Trojans left eight runners on base, while the Wolves had six runners left on base.

Stefani Gollin (L, 0-1) recorded the loss after tossing a complete game for Dakota State.  She allowed five runs on seven hits.  She struck out four batters.

Fisher (W, 1-1) pitched a complete game victory for Northern State.  She gave up three runs (one unearned) on six hits.  She registered four strikeouts.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director