GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota softball team notched its fifth straight victory on Wednesday afternoon, notching a 3-0 shutout win over Minnesota Crookston from Apollo Park in Grand Forks, N.D.
 
The win gives the Fighting Hawks their first five-game winning streak since March 2018 while also stretching their shutout streak to 23 straight innings dating back to Apr. 20 against North Dakota State. Overall, NoDak has held its opponent off the scoreboard in four of its last five games.
 
Jackie Albrecht hurled a complete game shutout for the third time over her last four starts and second straight appearance to improve to 6-11 on the campaign. The junior surrendered only three hits and two free passes while striking out six on 115 pitches.
 
Cassie Castaneda continued her torrid play offensively, reaching base on all four of her plate appearances with two hits and a pair of walks to finish 2-for-2 on the day and 8 for her last 11 at the dish. The catcher also drove home UND's first run of the day, which ended up being the game winner, while also stealing a bag for the second time this season.
 
UND jumped out to an early lead with some timely hitting, as Castaneda gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage with a two-out single into left field to bring home Johanna Rodriguez. After a quick top half of the second, NoDak stretched the lead with another two-out hit, this time from Angie Dumlao to plate Brookyln Morris after she led off the stanza with a double to make it 2-0 after two.
 
Albrecht settled in as the game wore on, working around a jam in the fourth with a big strikeout before stranding another runner in the fifth on a groundout. The Hawks loaded the bases in the bottom half of the fifth following a pair of walks sandwiching a Castaneda hit with only one away and Morris at the plate. The sophomore worked a walk to reach for the second time on the afternoon and bring home UND's third run.
 
The defense and pitching for UND shut down any chance of a UMC comeback, as Taya Hopfauf turned a slick double play in the top of the sixth before Morris ended the contest with a diving catch in centerfield to close out the 3-0 win.
 
North Dakota will open a three-game series with Omaha beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. from Apollo Park.
 
Postgame Notes 

• UND improves to 13-36 on the season and 18-0 all-time against Minnesota Crookston
• The win over the Golden Eagles was the first since 2009
• NoDak has won five straight games for the first time since March 2018 in Big Sky Conference play
• The Hawks have also thrown three straight shutouts and have posted a zero in four of the last five
• It marks the first time with three straight shutout wins since April 2010
• Castaneda finished with two hits to give her eight in the last 11 at-bats
• Albrecht has thrown back-to-back complete game shutouts and three on the season

  
How It Happened 

1st | UND | Cassie Castaneda ropes an RBI single into left field to give UND a 1-0 lead
2nd | UND | Angie Dumlao laces a single into left to bring home the second run of the day for NoDak
5th | UND | Brooklyn Morris draws a bases loaded walk to extend the advantage to 3-0

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