MORAGA, Calif. – The University of North Dakota softball team fell to Santa Clara 9-1 and to Saint Mary's 5-2 in their final non-conference series.
North Dakota 1, Santa Clara 9
Four two-run innings proved to be the difference in the 9-1 loss to Santa Clara on Sunday afternoon in Moraga, Calif.
Jackie Albrecht started in the circle for the Fighting Hawks. In her 1.2 frames of work, she allowed five hits and four runs while securing one strikeout.
Lauren Feld stepped into the circle and pitched 5.1 innings. She allowed eight hits and five runs while striking out seven.
North Dakota was down early as Santa Clara scored two runs in the first, two runs in the second, a singular run in the third and two runs in the sixth before the Fighting Hawks responded. In the bottom of the sixth,
Izzy Haslett was the spark as she reached on a fielding error to place her on first.
Chevelle Sartin singled to left field to advance Haslett into scoring position.
Cassie Castaneda earned the RBI as she brought in Haslett off a sacrifice hit to left field.
The Fighting Hawks had five hits against a strong pitching staff for Santa Clara.
Alexys Campos picked up a hit, while Sartin and
Madison Pederson each picked up a pair. The Fighting Hawks were unable to convert more runs as they fell 9-1.
Saint Mary's 5, North Dakota 2
North Dakota took an early lead with a pair of runs in the first inning, but they were unable to hold on as Saint Mary's scored four runs in the fourth inning to secure the 5-2 victory.
Morgan McConnell was the starting pitcher for the Fighting Hawks as she played 4.1 frames. She had a seven-hit, five run game before
Jackie Albrecht stepped in to close out the game. In her 1.2 innings of work, Albrecht allowed no hits and no runs.
The Fighting Hawks started the scoring early as
Izzy Haslett once again provided energy on offense. She was hit by a pitch that placed her on base.
Chevelle Sartin stepped up to bat and hit a double to left center to advance Haslett to third base.
Madi Moore reached on a fielding error to load the bases with one out. The Gaels starting pitcher struggled to earn the final out as she walked
Mariah Peters, which forced Haslett home for the first run of the game. A new pitcher stepped in for the Gaels, but she walked
Madison Pederson to push Sartin home for the 2-0 advantage at the end of the first.
The Fighting Hawks continued to fight as
Jagger Datan doubled and Haslett singled in the second inning. They were not able to convert the hits as they remained scoreless at the top of the second. Saint Mary's cut the deficit to one at the bottom of the second to make the score 2-1 headed into the third inning.
Both teams remained scoreless in the third inning. Saint Mary's took the 5-2 lead in the second as they scored a run and then added three more with a home run with two on base to make it an RBI triple.
North Dakota attempted to recover the deficit, but they were not able to convert on offense as they fell 5-2.
UND will return to action on Saturday, Mar. 26 as they open up conference play against the Kansas City Roos at noon in Kansas City, Mo.
