Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MACOMB, Ill. -- The University of North Dakota dropped a pair on the first day of the series against Western Illinois. They battled, but they fell 1-0 and 4-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Western Illinois 1, North Dakota 0
The Fighting Hawks fell to the Leathernecks in the first game of the day on Saturday. It was a gruesome duel between both teams as Western Illinois took the 1-0 win.

Jannay Jones battled to a complete game, allowing five hits over six innings as she surrendered just one run. Jones struck out three Leathernecks but fell to a 4-9 season record.
North Dakota could only muster three hits against the Leathernecks, with Chevelle Sartin providing the initial pop in the first inning. They were unable to capitalize, and the Leathernecks took the one-run lead in the bottom of the first.

After the first inning, a pitching duel ensued. Sartin collected another hit and Madi Moore added a hit of her own, but the Fighting Hawks were unable to slide runs past Western Illinois. They fell 1-0 to start the day against the Leathernecks.


Western Illinois 4, North Dakota 2
It was a battle as the Fighting Hawks faced the Leathernecks in the second game of the day. The teams were tied until the sixth inning when the Leathernecks scored two runs to secure the 4-2 victory.

Jackie Albrecht pitched 5.2 innings. She allowed nine hits and four runs while securing two strikeouts. Morgan McConnell stepped in for relief and helped the Fighting Hawks secure the remaining out in the sixth inning.

The first inning saw both teams remain scoreless, but the Fighting Hawks were the first to strike in the top of the second inning. Madison Pederson stepped up to the plate and doubled to right center to place the Fighting Hawks in scoring position. Mariah Peters was walked on her turn up to bat to place another runner on base. Izzy Haslett reached on fielder's choice as she advanced Peters. Callie Honig stepped up and doubled to right center to bring in Haslett and Peters and give the Fighting Hawks the 2-0 advantage. The Leathernecks responded at the bottom of the second to tie it at 2-2 headed into the third inning.

Both teams threatened in the following innings, but it was the Leathernecks who were able to break the tie. They took the 4-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth before McConnell stepped in to help the Fighting Hawks stop the Leathernecks.

The Leathernecks had their relief pitcher step into round out the game. She allowed one hit, but she secured three consecutive outs after the initial hit as the Fighting Hawks fell 4-2 in the second game of the series.

North Dakota returns to action on Sunday, April 3 at 11 a.m. for the third game of the series against the Leathernecks.