NDSU Softball Splits Opening Day

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – North Dakota State softball opened up the 2025 season on Friday with a split at the Charleston Invitational, falling to No. 17 Virginia Tech 8-0 before topping host College of Charleston 2-1.
 
The Bison threatened Virginia Tech early, getting three runners into scoring position in the first two innings, but NDSU was unable to capitalize. The Hokies would eventually break the scoreless tie in the third with a five-run inning. Virginia Tech would add a three-run home run in the fourth to cap their scoring in the game.
 
Jasmyn Yessian would have the only Bison hit in the game, while Amai Hanta and Chloe Woldruff also reached safely. Savy Williams picked up the loss, giving up four runs in 2.1 innings of work, allowing three hits and a walk with one strikeout.
 
In game two, Hanta recorded her first collegiate hit in the top of the first and would come around to score two batters later, as Yessian brought the freshman around with an RBI groundout to give NDSU 1-0 lead over host Charleston.
 
The Cougars would eventually tie the game in the fourth, capitalizing on a Bison error with an unearned run, the only blemish on Addie Bowers line. The sophomore would pick up the win, going five innings with four hits, a walk and three strikeouts to go along with the unearned run.
 
NDSU would retake the lead in the sixth inning, as Hanta would start the inning with a walk. She then picked up a stolen base and took third on a wild pitch, setting up Yessian for another RBI, as the sophomore singled home Hanta, dropping in a fly ball in shallow center.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Kaitlyn Dunford came in with one runner on, recording a 1-2-3 inning to preserve the Bison lead. She would add another scoreless inning in the seventh for a 6-out save, with one strikeout.
 
The Bison will be back in action Saturday morning, taking on Fordham at 9 a.m. CT before facing off against Virginia Tech again at 11:30 a.m.