OMAHA, Neb. – The North Dakota softball team opened its 2023 Summit League schedule on Saturday taking on South Dakota, falling 3-0 to the Coyotes. The series was moved to Omaha due to field conditions in Vermillion. Clara Edwards picked up the win for USD while Jackie Albrecht threw all six innings for UND but took the loss.

The game began as a pitcher's duel through the first two innings, with neither team getting on the board. Albrecht got into a little trouble in the bottom of the first but worked out of a jam with runners on the corners and two outs to keep the game scoreless.

Kaycee Hayes got the first hit for UND in the third, but was later out on a fielder's choice. In the bottom of the third USD broke the deadlock with two runs. In the fourth Haslett led off with a double but was unable to come around for UND. In the top of the fifth Taya Hopfauf got a one out double but the once again the Hawks were unable to bring in the run to score. In the bottom of the fifth USD got another run to go up 3-0, and after a quick sixth inning the Hawks had one more chance in the top of the seventh.

Madison Pederson led off the inning with a single, Brooklyn Morris came in to pinch run and advanced to second on a groundout but she would be stranded on second to end the game.

Key Points

·         Four different players recorded a hit for UND (Hopfauf, Haslett, Pederson, Hayes) with Hopfauf and Haslett getting doubles.

·         Albrecht allowed one earned run on five hits in six innings.

·         Baylee Howley drew the lone walk in the game.

Scoring Summary

B3 | Goerke RBI single (0-1)

B3 | Pender walked, Sainz scored (0-2)

B5 | Sainz scored on wild pitch (0-3)

UND will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 4 p.m. against South Dakota to finish their series.