GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota softball team grabbed its first Summit League win of the 2024 season Sunday with a 2-1 win over South Dakota. Jackie Albrecht pitched another gem with a complete game, while Annabeth Carlberg picked up her first RBI in green and white while Brooklyn Morris scored the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh to finish off the victory.
In the top of the second, USD had the bases loaded with two outs, but Albrecht got out of a jam with a groundout to keep the game scoreless. The Coyotes got on the board first in the top of the third with an RBI single from Gabby Moser, and in the top of the fourth had a runner on second base with two outs—a great play by Katelyn Neumayer at first base, snagging a hard hit ball out of the air prevented the ball from going into right field and scoring the runner from second to keep the score at 1-0.
UND evened it up in the bottom of the fourth as Taya Hopfauf drew a one out walk, advanced to second on a passed ball and then came in on an RBI single from Annabeth Carlberg to even the game at one.
Albrecht got out of jams with two runners on in the fifth and seventh innings, to keep the game tied. A crucial defensive play on a sharply hit ball in the seventh inning from Katie Joten, with two outs and two on, kept the game tied heading into the bottom of the frame.
Morris led off the bottom of the seventh with a double that hit off the wall in center field. Joten followed and laid down a perfect sac bunt that moved Morris to third. As Angie Dumlao came up next, a wild pitch allowed Morris to come in standing for the winning run.
Albrecht got the win while McKenna Young took the loss.
The Fighting Hawks will be back in action this weekend at St. Thomas for a three game set with the Tommies.
Postgame Notes
· Hailey Bethune and Carlberg each made their second start of the season.
· Five different players picked up a hit for the Fighting Hawks.
· Albrecht struck out seven batters in seven innings.
· Morris scored her third run of the season.
How It Happened
T3- USD 1, UND 0
B4- UND 1, USD 1
B7- UND 2, USD 1
For more information on North Dakota softball, follow on social media @UNDsoftball or visit FightingHawks.com.
