Game One

Omaha, Neb – North Dakota loaded the bases in the fifth inning, but were unable to mount a comeback, falling 4-0 to Omaha in game one of a double header at Connie Clausen Field.

Jannay Jones allowed just one baserunner in the final five innings, but the Mavericks scored four runs on four hits in the first to take a 4-0 lead after the opening frame.  Shortstop Jocelyn Kirk made a nice play from deep in the hole to gun down an Omaha hitter at first base to put an end to the big inning.  Jones struck out four and walked just one in six innings of work.

Jones got sparkling defensive plays on back-to-back Maverick at bats in the third inning.  Left fielder Madi Moore made a diving catch on a line drive near the foul line just prior to center fielder Alexys Campos making a leaping grab on the run to retire the Mavs in order.

The Hawks were able to put the lead off man on in the second and fifth inning.

Sydny Taylor drew a full-count walk to lead off the fifth before Ashlynn Uvila singled.  Alexys Campos then walked on a 3-1 pitch to load the bases with two outs, but the Fighting Hawks couldn't capitalize. 


Game Two

In a similar quick start to game one, the Mavericks struck first with two first-inning runs to take a lead which they would never relinquish. 

Trailing 2-0, North Dakota's Madison Pederson led off the top of the second with a solo home run on the third pitch of the inning.  Pederson's home run, her second of the season, made it a one run game.

Kirk was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the third.  The final out of the frame was a key play in the game as McKenzie Ryan hit a laser to straight away deep center field, but the Maverick center fielder made a nice grab running toward the wall.

The deficit would remain one until the bottom of the third when Omaha got a wind-pushed, three-run home run to right field to boost the Maverick lead to 5-1. 

Omaha added another run in the fourth to make it 6-1.  North Dakota responded in its next at bat.  Moore hammered a solo home run over the right center field wall to close the gap to 6-2.  It was Moore's first dinger of the season.  Moore went 2-3 at the plate with the home run and a single in the second inning.

The Mavs added an insurance run in the sixth to make it 7-2, which would hold up.

In the circle Nikki Pica got the start.  She went the distance giving up seven runs, six earned on seven hits while striking out three and walking three.

The same two teams will play another double dip in Omaha tomorrow afternoon starting at 12 p.m.