GRAND FORKS, N.D. – "You girls deserve this. This is for you. And now there's only two words left to say… play ball!" And play ball they did. Despite its infancy, Albrecht Field's magic was on full display Saturday night as North Dakota softball christened its new crown jewel with a walk-off victory courtesy of a two-run double off the bat of fifth-year infielder Katie Joten. UND defeated Northwest Missouri in its fall league opener 3-2 and the two sides return to action on Sunday in an 11 a.m. first pitch.

That emphatic pregame declaration from Dave Albrecht, lead donor along with wife Alexa, succeeded a grand opening night of festivities and gave way to an exciting finish to cap off a 21^st night of September that will undoubtedly be remembered.

The night began with a lively escort for the 2024-25 Fighting Hawk softball team as members of the UND Pride of the North marching band and UND spirit squads led the Hawks from the Fritz D. Pollard Jr. Athletic Center across Second Avenue and into Albrecht Field as fans lined the entrance to help usher in a new era of Fighting Hawk softball. 

Excitement grew as the evening moved along and it matched the pregame festivities which included several firsts for the program. The Hawks were greeted to lineup cards during pregame introductions on the state-of-the-art video board in left centerfield. Chicago Blackhawks resident national anthem singer Jim Cornelison's flawless tones of God Bless America, the National Anthem and a fifth inning Take Me Out to the Ballgame, which also included the near 1,200 fans in attendance, echoed throughout the night. 

Ceremonial first pitches from Community Contractors Project Manager, Jake Dunham, UND Director of Athletics, Bill Chaves, lead donors Dave and Alexa Albrecht, UND President Andy Armacost, VP of Development for the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, Mike Mannausau and Ward 5 council member, Mike Fridolfs preceded Albrecht's aforementioned charge and the Pride of the North's playing of the UND Fight Song. 

The party included UND glitter tattoos, green light-up bracelets, a UND photo booth, Fighting Hawk cookies and a 50/50 raffle in addition to a commemorative stadium pin giveaway. Following Joten's heroics, the celebration continued as postgame base running and player autographs helped conclude the memorable evening in Grand Forks.

As for the action on the field, senior right-hander Jackie Albrecht started in the circle for North Dakota and worked three and one third innings with four strikeouts against the Division II Bearcats. Senior Angie Dumlao singled in the first, sophomore Hailey Bethune singled in the second and senior Hannah Thompson singled in both the second and fifth innings. Junior Camryn Lasota took over for Albrecht in the circle and worked the remaining three and two thirds innings and also delivered a hustle double in the win. The seventh started with Thompson drawing a walk and sophomore Olivia Dick pinch running for her. Freshman Quincie Chunestudey hustled out an infield hit, and both runners advanced a bag on an errant throw to set the table for Joten.
 
Joten noted postgame, "Honestly, I just hit it. I was like okay if she catches it, at least we scored one run and tied the game. And then I saw it go over her head and I heard the crowd erupt and it was crazy and the best feeling ever."
 
Following tomorrow's contest, UND will face five more opponents on their fall slate. The Hawks host Northern State in a doubleheader on Sunday, September 29 beginning at 1 p.m. UND plays host to Minnesota Crookston on Wednesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. The Hawks welcome in Jamestown (Noon) and Minot State (5 p.m.) on Saturday, October 5 and conclude the semester's action with a 6 p.m. first pitch against Mayville State on Wednesday, October 16. UND's complete fall league schedule can be found here.
 
When asked postgame what he will remember years from now when thinking back on this night, 11^th year head coach Jordan Stevens shared his awe of the evening. "The crowd, the atmosphere. Just unbelievable. Things we haven't seen before. And to pull out a win like that in the seventh against a really quality club that we had in here for the first game…this will be one that everyone will remember for a really long time."

Grand opening. Grand finish. Grand Forks.

Saturday Night Starting Lineups
Northwest Missouri
14- Lillie Filger- 8 
11- Skylar Pieper- 5 
16- Gaige Pinkerton- 2
15- Gracie McKinney- 3
4- Avery Mayberry- 7
12- Annie Gahan- 6
7- Zana Zeleke- 4
6- Grace Lubben-9
34- Kaylee Cords- DH 
2- Cassidy Paulson- 1/Flex
 
North Dakota
5 - Katie Joten - 6
33 - Angie Dumlao - 4
11 - Taya Hopfauf - 2
16 - Katelyn Neumayer - 3
8 - Camryn Lasota - DP
17 - Hailey Bethune - 5
42 - Kaycee Hayes - 9        
88 - Hannah Thompson - 7
27 - Brooklyn Morris - 8
3 - Jackie Albrecht - 1/Flex

ABOUT ALBRECHT FIELD
Albrecht Field is part of Memorial Village II, located directly across 2nd Ave. N from the soon-to-be completed Memorial Village, which will provide commercial space and mixed-living opportunities for the community of Grand Forks thanks to the public-private partnership of UND Athletics, UND Alumni Association & Foundation, the City of Grand Forks, the Memorial Village Development Group and a generous gift from lead donors Alexa and Dave Albrecht.

The stadium allows UND Softball to host games on campus for the first time in program history, features over 500 spectator seats, a special party deck in left field, an LED videoboard and is pet friendly.
Large dugouts, a dual-purpose batting cage/bullpen and a state-of-the-art turf playing surface are just a few of the amenities that UND softball student-athletes will enjoy. The stadium is located across the street from the Frederick D. Pollard Athletic Center and soon-to-be completed Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center, which will feature new locker rooms, weight room and sports medicine area for the softball program.
 
For more information on North Dakota Softball, follow on social media @UNDsoftball or visit FightingHawks.com.