FARGO, N.D. – The last time the University of North Dakota softball team beat North Dakota State, its current squad was either too young to remember or weren't born; but after a 20-year hiatus, and in the first meeting since both teams moved to Division I, the UND softball team handed the Bison a 4-1 loss on Wednesday afternoon.
UND's win against North Dakota State is the first victory against the Bison since a 10-2 win on April 28, 1996. The game was also the first meeting between the two sides since 2004, when both teams were still Division II programs.
North Dakota took control of the game from the get-go and never looked back. Nicole Babrowski and Kaylin VanDomelen recorded back-to-back hits to lead off the first. A sac bunt by Taylor Hansen then moved both runners into scoring position, before a sacrifice foul-out by Megan Keegan allowed Babrowski to score the first run of the game. Emily Bell then followed up with a stand-up double to score VanDomelen to give UND the 2-0 lead.
The Bison then ran into trouble in the circle during the second inning as two walks and a single loaded the bases for UND. North Dakota State's pitcher Jacquelyn Setic threw a pitch that hit Hansen and improved UND's lead to 3-0. Sertic would finish the inning, but after leading-off the third with a walk, was replaced by Kaitlyn Leddy.
With a double to start the game, Bell played her best during the middle innings as North Dakota State was on the verge of making a comeback.
In the bottom of the third, a hit, walk and an error loaded the bases for the Bison with only one away. With the go ahead run at the plate, Bell caught a line drive from NDSU's Julia Luciano before tagging out Alyssa Reina at first for the unassisted double play to end the inning and keep NDSU scoreless.
Bell then followed up her double play with a solo shot over the left field wall to lead off the fifth; giving UND the 4-0 lead.
The Bison threatened again in the bottom of the fifth, but a great throw from Mary Martin behind home plate got the Bison's Katie Shoultz out as she attempted to steal second. With two away, Logan Moreland singled to get on base before advancing to third off two stolen bases. Unfortunately for NDSU, she was stranded on third after a line out to Natalie Gerber ended the inning.
North Dakota State did eventually spoil VanDomelen's bid for a fifth shutout, as Marisa Lopez-Portillo hit a homer run in the bottom of the seventh to cut into UND's lead. However, it was too little, too late for the Bison as UND recorded the final outs on the remaining batters to secure the 4-1 win.
Bell finished the game with two hits, two RBI's and one run. VanDomelen earned her 10th win of the season, striking out five, while only conceding one run on six hits.
UND returns to Big Sky Conference play this weekend, April 15-16, hosting Northern Colorado for a three-game series. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. (CT), while Saturday's game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CT) start time.
