MOBILE, Ala. – The University of North Dakota softball team picked up a much-needed split on Saturday in day two of the Jaguar Classic hosted by South Alabama in Mobile. The Fighting Hawks (2-7) fell, 7-0, to Lipscomb in the day's opener before a furious comeback sparked a 4-2 triumph in extra innings over Mercer to close out the second day of action.
 
With the victory over the Bears (3-7), UND ended its seven-game losing streak and collected its first victory over an unranked opponent. The win is also the first over Mercer in program history and first in extra innings since March 18, 2015 vs. Eastern Michigan.
 
Lipscomb 7, North Dakota 0
Unfortunately, with the good came the bad for the Fighting Hawks as the green and white were held without a hit in the opener vs. Lipscomb (5-4). Only one batter was able to reach for North Dakota, coming via the walk in the fifth inning to prevent the perfect game.
 
Megan Gray threw the first no-hitter of the year and of her career to help the Lady Bisons collect a 7-0 win over UND. Gray struck out 13 batters, a season high for a Lipscomb pitcher, and fired 116 pitches in the victory.
 
Emily Rosas was saddled with the loss for the Fighting Hawks, allowing six runs and six hits in 3.1 innings to fall to 0-2 this season. Nikki Pica closed out the contest by allowing only one run (unearned) and striking out six over 3.2 frames as UND struck out 10 Lady Bisons in the loss.
 
After Rosas escaped a bases loaded jam in the second inning, Lipscomb was finally able to break through in the top of the third with four runs following an RBI double and three run homer to give the Lady Bisons a 4-0 advantage. From there, Lipscomb tacked on two more in the fourth on a double steal and single before increasing the lead to seven with a bases loaded walk in the seventh.
 
North Dakota 4, Mercer 2
Down to its final out in the top of the seventh, UND rallied for the game-tying run before Angel Love smacked a two-run home run in the top of the eighth to give the Fighting Hawks a dramatic, 4-2, victory over Mercer on Saturday night.
 
The Hawks were able to force extras in the seventh inning thanks to Deja Miller's two-out, RBI triple that tied the game at two. The three bagger was the third hit of the night for Miller, as UND responded with a game-high eight hits against the Bears.
 
Jannay Jones tossed another gem in the circle for the green and white, earning her first victory of the season. The freshman threw all eight innings on just 98 pitches, allowing just two runs (one earned), five hits, and striking out five. Jones was also in control nearly all night, surrendering only one walk and throwing only one wild pitch.
 
After Mercer took the lead in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs, the contest looked to be headed for a similar script as UND continued to threaten, but was held off the scoresheet for much of the night.
 
In the sixth, however, UND finally broke through. After a Miller and Kayleen Schneider singled and advanced to second and third with two out, Jocelyn Kirk was able to find a hole in the infield for an RBI single to get the Fighting Hawks on the board. The run snapped a scoreless drought of 31.2 innings and gave the green and white some confidence moving into the final innings.
 
A pair of quick outs in the top of the seventh brought UND down to its last hope, but Lyndsay Hathaway drew a five-pitch walk to put the tying run on first. Four pitches later, Miller smacked a triple into center field to bring home Hathaway and tie the game at two. Jones sent the game into extra innings with a quick bottom half as the Hawks carried all the momentum into extra frames.
 
Dani Romero earned a free pass after being hit by a pitch, allowing Love to step to the plate with a runner on and just one out. Love took the first pitch she saw to center field for her first home run of the season and putting UND in front, 4-2. In the bottom of the eighth, Jones escaped some damage by retiring the final two batters via a strikeout and groundout to polish off the comeback victory for the Fighting Hawks.
 
North Dakota returns to action on Sunday morning for its final game in the Jaguar Classic against Tulsa. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.