NDSU Softball Drops Doubleheader at SDSU

BROOKINGS, S.D. – North Dakota State softball fell to South Dakota State in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday, falling 3-2 in game one before a 12-3 loss in game two at JT Moriarty Field to wrap up the Summit League series.
 
After South Dakota State took the lead in the bottom of the first in game one, the Bison would answer in the third to tie the game. Ava Chavarria hit a ground-rule double and later came around to score on a ball in play by Amai Hanta.
 
The Jackrabbits responded with two runs in the bottom of the third to go back in front, but Jessica Delatorre led off the fourth with a solo home run to center. NDSU would get two more baserunners on in the inning and then again in the fifth and sixth, but were unable to level the score. In the seventh, NDSU would get another runner to second, but were unable to find the tying run.
 
Bella Dean led the Bison with three of NDSU’s eight hits. Star Cortez and Delatorre had two hits each. Cortez also had one of three Bison walks. Savy Williams allowed three runs in six innings in the loss. She finished with one strikeout.
 
In game two, South Dakota State started off the game with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first. NDSU responded as Rylee Henderson and Delatorre led off the second with hits. Savannah Henzler then tripled to bring the two around to tie the game. Zoe King then brought in Henzler with an RBI groundout to give the Bison the lead.
 
However, the Jackrabbits responded with a home run to tie the game in the third, before scoring two more runs in the inning. SDSU then posted a five-run inning in the third to go up 10-3. In the bottom of the sixth, South Dakota State hit a two-run home run to trigger the run-rule victory and complete the sweep of the Bison.
 
Delatorre led the Bison with two of NDSU’s six hits. Cortez, Hanta, Henderson and Henzler finished with the other hits for NDSU. Kaitlyn Dunford allowed three runs in 1.1 innings to start the game. Piper Reed picked up the loss, allowing seven runs in one inning of relief. Addie Bowers tossed the final 2.2 innings, allowing two runs.
 
The Bison will return to action next weekend with the final home series of the year as NDSU welcomes in South Dakota for a three-game Summit League series. The Bison and Coyotes are set for a doubleheader on Saturday and the series finale Sunday, with both days beginning at noon at Tharaldson Park.