EL PASO, Texas – The North Dakota softball team wrapped up the UTEP/NMSU Tournament Sunday afternoon, falling 7-1 to UTEP.

In the top of the first, Izzy Haslett singled and Cassie Castaneda followed with a double that reached the wall in left field. Haslett was held at third and Mariah Peters walked to load the bases with one out. But the Fighting Hawks were unable to get a run across in the frame. After giving up a one out single, Jackie Albrecht got two groundouts to keep the game scoreless after one. Albrecht also left a runner stranded on third in the bottom of the second. In the third, both teams left two on base and in the fourth both teams went 1-2-3 as the pitcher's duel continued.

In the top of the fifth, Taya Hopfauf led off with a home run to right center field that put UND up 1-0. UTEP answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame and then got three more in the bottom of the sixth on a three run home run to make it 7-1.

Faith Aragon got the win while Albrecht took the loss.

After the game, Peters, Hopfauf and Madison Pederson were named to the All-Tournament team.

The Fighting Hawks will be back in action tomorrow against New Mexico State at 4 p.m. in a matchup that is not a tournament game.

Postgame Notes 

·         Pederson finished with eight RBIs this weekend, five hits and scored a run while batting .333.

·         Katie Joten batted .417 over the weekend with five hits in 12 at bats.

·         Castaneda batted .375 over the weekend with six hits to lead the team, including two doubles.

·         Peters scored a team high four runs with five hits over the weekend.

How It Happened 

T5 – UND 1, UTEP 0

B5 – UTEP 4, UND 1

B6 – UTEP 7, UND 1

 
For more information on North Dakota softball, follow on social media @UNDsoftball or visit FightingHawks.com.