Box Score HONOLULU, HAWAII -- The University of North Dakota beat Abilene Christian 8-1 in the first day of the Hawai'i Invitational. The Fighting Hawks scored six in the fifth inning to boost them past the Wildcats. 

The Fighting Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The top of the order brought the heat as Jocelyn Kirk singled through the left side. Alexys Campos was walked on her first turn at-bat. Mariah Peters advanced Kirk into a scoring position, but it was Madison Pederson who secured an RBI and brought in Kirk to put the Fighting Hawks up by one in the first. Cassie Castaneda was the second Hawk to secure an RBI as Campos brought in the second run to make it 2-0.

Abilene Christian was able to end the Fighting Hawks scoring and head into the bottom of the first. Jannay Jones allowed a home run on the first Wildcat at-bat, but that was the only run Abilene Christian would score. Jones locked her pitching down and allowed only two singles for the remaining innings to help the Hawks to victory.

The second, third, and fourth innings remained scoreless, but the Fighting Hawks maintained the one-run advantage. Liz Feld became the spark to change the scoring drought at the top of the fifth with a home run, which was the first of her Division I softball career. After Feld extended the lead to 3-1, the Fighting Hawks offense continued to battle with the top of the order once again leading the charge. Kirk doubled to place her on base as Campos tripled to bring in Kirk and extend the lead to 4-1. The runs kept coming as Campos secured her second run of the game off a hit by Peters. The Fighting Hawks then saw the second home run of the season when Pederson stepped up and hit one down center field. The Fighting Hawks were not finished yet, as Chevelle Sartin had a RBI double and brought in Madi Moore and Castaneda to give the Hawks a six-run inning and give them the 8-1 lead.

Jones was solid in the circle with a complete-game victory. The senior allowed just three hits and one home run while striking out four to give the Fighting Hawks the win.

North Dakota returns to action tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. CT against old rival Montana before playing the host, Hawai'i, at 11 p.m. CT.