GRAND FORKS, N.D. – St. Thomas used a pair of three-run first innings to set the stage early against North Dakota and the Tommies went on to claim both ends of Friday's doubleheader from Albrecht Field winning by scores of 6-2 and 8-3. The victories push UST's Summit League record to 8-3, while the Hawks fall to .500 in league play at 7-7.
 
St. Thomas used three hits to push across three runs in the first inning of game one to build an early advantage and end the day of UND starter Jackie Albrecht. The Hawks responded with single tallies over the next two frames. Katelyn Neumayer reached on a FC in the first to plate Katie Joten and an inning later Camryn Lasota doubled to the wall in right centerfield and Makenna Alexander scored from first as UND pulled to within a run of the UST lead through two innings.
 
Katelyn Strauss worked quickly in the third and fourth innings, while the Hawks put a base runner  on in each but were unable to even up the contest. UST broke through again in the fifth with two runs on two hits and then again in the seventh with a solo blast. Emily Marr left the bags full of Tommies in the sixth as Brooklyn Morris tracked down a well-hit ball to end the frame, but the Hawks were unable to plate a pair of two-out hits in the seventh.
 
In game two, the Tommies duplicated their first inning of game one with four hits and three runs to grab an early lead. The Hawks also used a familiar first inning striking for a run on an RBI single off the bat of Hailey Bethune. UST added to its lead in the third with an RBI hit and used two solo home runs in the fifth to build an 8-1 lead. The next half inning saw the Hawks respond with a pair of runs as Joten doubled into left field to plate a run, while an RBI groundout off the bat of Neumayer served as the third and final tally for UND on the day.
 
The Hawks and the Tommies meet in the series finale on Saturday 1 p.m. from Albrecht Field. Live coverage links for the series are available at www.FightingHawks.com.
 
For more information on North Dakota softball, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDsoftball.

Postgame Notes

• Strauss posted a UND-career best 5.0 innings in relief in game one and matched her season high in strikeouts with three
• Joten delivered her team-leading 12^th multi-hit game of the season it the series opener; Angie Dumlao recorded her sixth
• Joten's hit streak and reached base safely streak moved to a current UND-best four games
• The Hawks managed just two extra base hits, both doubles, across both games on Friday