NDSU Softball’s Rally Comes Up Short in Extras Against North Dakota

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State softball rallied to force extra innings, but fell short in the Summit League series finale with North Dakota, falling 5-3 in eight innings at Tharaldson Park.
 
North Dakota took the lead in the top of the first with back-to-back doubles to go up 1-0. NDSU responded by loading the bases in the bottom of the first but were unable to get a run across in the inning. North Dakota then added a second run in the top of the second with another double.
 
Chloe Woldruff cut the Bison deficit in half in the third inning with an RBI single to score Amai Hanta. However, the Fighting Hawks went back up by two in the fourth with a third RBI double of the game.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Rylee Henderson doubled home Hanta to cut the deficit to one and then scored on an RBI single from Woldruff to tie the game and force extra innings.
 
However, North Dakota would load the bases in the eighth and scored two runs on a single to go back in front. NDSU would get two on in the bottom half, but were unable to cut into the deficit any further, dropping the rubber match of the series.
 
Savy Williams picked up the loss in relief, going 6.2 innings. She allowed three runs on nine hits with four strikeouts. Kaitlyn Dunford tossed the first four outs, allowing two runs on three hits.
 
At the plate, the Bison were held to just five hits, but NDSU also worked a season high 10 walks in the game. Hanta and Woldruff each had two hits, while Henderson had the fifth. Hanta also had two walks alongside Jessica Delatorre and Zoe King. Eight of the nine Bison in the starting lineup recorded a hit or walk in the game. Hanta also had two stolen bases to extend her league lead to 19 on the season and 11 in league play.
 
The Bison will return to action on Wednesday, traveling to Madison, Wisconsin to take on Wisconsin in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. against the Badgers.