MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The University of North Dakota softball team fell to Michigan State, 22-5, and Oakland, 3-2, on the second day of play at the Eastern Michigan Madeira Beach Spring Invitational on Saturday.

“We weren't very good today, really in any area of the game,” head coach Jordan Stevens said. “We made mistakes you just can't make in softball and that led to huge innings. We need to regroup, learn from it, and be better.”

Michigan State recorded a 10-run inning in the first to start off the first game of the day against North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks were able to score three runs in the bottom of the first, and one run in both the third and fourth innings, but the Spartans would go on to win 22-5 in five innings.

Despite the loss, junior Taylor Nadler had a strong game, gaining two hits in three at bats and scoring two runs against the Spartans.

The loss is also the first of the season for junior pitcher Hannah Bergh, who is now 4-1 on the year.

In game two of the day, North Dakota and Oakland squared off in a defensive battle that needed extra innings to decide a victor. Unfortunately, the Golden Grizzlies ended up winning the battle, 3-2, in eight innings.

The Fighting Hawks got on the board first in the third inning, as a throwing error by Oakland allowed Victoria Minor to cross home safely. Oakland then tied up the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After a scoreless seventh inning, North Dakota took back the lead in the top of the eighth. With Lexi Mayhood starting on second for the Fighting Hawks, she was driven home after Nadler safely reached on a fielder's choice.

With the lead and just three outs away, UND looked poised to claim the late win. However, Oakland ended up scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning to win in walk-off fashion.

North Dakota is now 5-4 on the season and will close out competition in Florida tomorrow afternoon against hosts Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. (CT).