GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota softball team earned a series split on Sunday against Western Illinois by rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the first game to defeat the Leathernecks, 2-1, in the finale from Apollo Park in Grand Forks.
UND (13-24, 5-7 Summit League) picked up its second split in conference play this season, closing out the first half of league play with a 5-7 mark and in a playoff spot.
G1: Western Illinois 2, North Dakota 0
Two RBIs from Sydney Hollings, including a home run in the top of the fifth, pushed the Leathernecks past UND, 2-0, in the first game of the day. Both pitchers were at the top of their games in the opener, with the teams combining for just seven hits and four walks.
Adrianna Dilal sparkled over seven innings despite the loss, allowing just five hits and three walks while striking out five. Two pitchers combined to shutdown the UND offense for WIU, with the Fighting Hawks mustering only two hits, a walk and striking out six times.
Neither side could get much going to start, with the hurlers combining for six strikeouts over the first two innings to keep the game scoreless. WIU struck in the top of the third when a single and double placed two in scoring position to start the frame. A sacrifice fly by Hollings gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, but a smart play a shortstop by
Jocelyn Kirk doubled off the runner at second to end the threat with just the one run allowed.
The Leathernecks made it 2-0 in the top of the fifth when Hollings sent one over the left field fence to double the advantage, but UND threatened in the bottom of the frame. A walk to
Ashlynn Uvila and a single by Cassie Castenada with two outs put the tying run on, but the Hawks stranded the runners. WIU did not allow a baserunner for the remainder of the game to close out the 2-0 victory.
G2: North Dakota 2, Western Illinois 1
A pair of clutch hits with two outs provided the runs that North Dakota needed, as the Fighting Hawks bounced back with a 2-1 victory in the weekend finale and seal a weekend split of the four-game series.
It was
Jannay Jones' turn to shine in the circle, tossing a complete game of only six-hit, one run (unearned) ball to notch her fifth win of the season. The junior allowed just two walks while also striking out a pair, lowering her ERA under three for the season.
After only two hits in the first game, the offense collected seven to help secure the victory. Uvila led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate, driving in the first run of the game for the Hawks.
Alexys Campos also went 2-for-2 with a run scored and a sacrifice bunt.
Jones was pounding the zone early, not firing a ball until the top of the third to help the defense remain alert. A single and walk in the top of that stanza by the Leathernecks provided the first threat of the day, but Jones got out of the jam with a grounder to short.
UND took advantage an inning later, with
Madi Moore leading off the inning with a double to left center. She was nearly stranded on second, however, after back-to-back popouts, but Uvila came through with a single up the middle to give UND a 1-0 lead after four.
The Hawks wiggled out of another jam in the top of the fifth and tacked on some insurance in the bottom half of the frame. A one-out double by Campos and a grounder to the right side by Kirk allowed her to move to third for
Jailene Carpio with two outs. There, the senior rocketed a ball to third for an RBI single to score the speedy Campos and stretch the lead to 2-0.
WIU cut into the deficit in the top of the sixth when a single, passed ball and ensuing RBI single trimmed the lead down to 2-1, but Jones once again got out of the jam to keep the Hawks in front. The Yuma, Ariz., native had no issues in the top of the seventh, sending the Leathernecks down in order to secure the 2-1 victory.
North Dakota returns to the field on Tuesday afternoon for a doubleheader against Mayville State beginning at 3 p.m. from Apollo Park. With potential impending weather, check FightingHawks.com or @UNDsoftball on social media for all schedule updates.
