BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- The University of North Dakota beat Toledo to end the weekend at the Blazer Classic hosted by the University of Alabama.
Toledo 3, North Dakota 4
The Fighting Hawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning,
Alexys Campos scored the fourth run in the seventh inning to help UND defeat Toledo 4-3.
Both teams remained scoreless until Campos scored a run with two outs left in the third inning to give the Fighting Hawks an early lead. Toledo would fail to score that inning, but they remained hot on the heels of the Hawks at the bottom of the fourth. The Rockets scored three runs in the fourth to take the lead from the Fighting Hawks.
It was not long before North Dakota responded. In the top of the fifth,
Mariah Peters started it off with a hit to center field to land her on first.
Madison Pederson doubled to left center to advance Peters into scoring position with no outs.
Cassie Castaneda sacrificed to earn an RBI and bring Peters in.
Madi Moore also secured an RBI as
Kaycee Hayes, who pinch ran for Pederson, scored to tie it at three headed into the bottom of the fifth. The Fighting Hawks defense was able to secure three outs and end the inning tied 3-3.
The sixth saw both teams remain scoreless as they battled to take the lead. The Fighting Hawks secured another run in the seventh to make it 4-3. Campos was yet again the instigator of the offense with a hit to center field. Peters hit a sac bunt to advance Campos to second, and she scored her second run of the morning and the last of the game.
Jones pitched 4.0 innings. She had an eight-hit, three run game, but
Morgan McConnell stepped into pitch in relief for the final three frames. In her three frames of work, she only gave up two hits and no runs. McConnell and the Fighting Hawks had a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh inning to secure the 4-3 win.
The Fighting Hawks return to action on Thursday, February 24 at 7:30 PM in Honolulu for the Hawai'I Invitational.
