DAVIS, Calif. – The University of North Dakota softball team breezed past Bryant, 9-2, on Thursday afternoon to begin competition at the Aggie Tournament II at La Rue Field.
“Obviously, it's good to start the weekend off win a win,” head coach Jordan Stevens said. “I was happy with our pitching and defense today. We had some good days on offense, but we've got to be stronger throughout the line up by taking better swings.”
Redshirt junior pitcher Kaylin VanDomelen picked up her fifth win of the season in the outing, throwing the first five innings of the contest before freshman Nikki Pica came in for relief. VanDomelen conceded just two runs on two hits, all coming in the second inning, while striking out seven batters. Pica was dominant in relief, striking out two batters and conceding just one in in her two innings of work.
On offense, UND put runs on the board early and often, as the Fighting Hawks strung together five-straight innings with runs for the 9-2 win.
North Dakota loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning behind a walk, a single by Rachael Waynick and a hit by pitch. Mary Martin was then given a free trip home after VanDomelen was walked with the loaded bases to score UND's first run of the day.
Bryant temporarily held a 2-1 lead, after scoring its two runs in the top of the second, but UND answered back with three runs on one hit and one error in the bottom of the frame to take the lead back, 4-2. With two outs, an error allowed Martin to score her second run of the game. Angel Love then stepped up to the plate and drove in two runs with a single to center field.
In the third inning, North Dakota scored two runs using three hits and one error, and scored two more runs in the fourth behind two hits. A double by VanDomelen in the fourth drove home Love to give UND a 7-2 advantage and a single by Minor allowed VanDomelen to score before ending the fourth.
Waynick hit a leadoff triple in the fifth and was later brought home by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Taylor Nadler for UND's ninth and final run.
North Dakota totaled nine hits in the contest, including doubles from Dani Romero and VanDomelen, and the season's first triple by Waynick.
The Fighting Hawks return to the field tomorrow afternoon for two games, taking on St. Mary's at 1 p.m. (CT) and host UC Davis at 5:30 p.m.
