GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota softball was firing on all cylinders on Wednesday afternoon in round one of the Summit League Tournament from South Dakota State's JT Moriarty Field. UND used a three-hit, three-RBI day from junior Camryn Lasota, saw senior Jackie Albrecht spin a three-hit shutout and received several impressive plays defensively as the Hawks dismissed North Dakota State's season with an 8-0 run-rule victory over its Peace Garden State foe.

The Hawks escaped trouble in the top of the first inning using a strong throw by Brooklyn Morris in centerfield to erase an NDSU runner at the plate as Taya Hopfauf applied the tag to prevent the game's first run.

However, in the bottom half, the Hawks provided plenty of their own trouble as UND struck for four runs on just one hit as Lasota singled back up the middle on a two-strike pitch to plate a pair. Three of the Hawks' first four batters to the plate walked as did Hopfauf whose ball four resulted in a wild pitch for a third UND tally. A fielder's choice RBI off the bat of Angie Dumlao accounted for the fourth run in a profitable first inning for the Hawks.

Albrecht registered four strikeouts through the first three innings, worked around two runners in both the first and second frames and used a nice defensive effort by Katie Joten to escape a bases loaded jam in the third. UND added a fifth run in the second as Lasota recorded her third RBI of the game by taking a pitch back up the middle on a 2-1 offering to plate Callie Honig for a 5-0 advantage.

Albrecht's fifth strikeout came in the fourth as it ended the top half and left another Bison on base. The Hawks went down in order in the home half, while NDSU would come away empty once again in the top of the fifth.

Lasota singled with one out in the fifth and with two gone, Dumlao singled to put runners at first and second. Hailey Bethune responded with a base knock back up the middle to score Lasota, while Dumlao moved to third on a throwing error and the Bethune moved into scoring position. Quincie Chunestudey singled to shortstop for a seventh UND run and set the stage for Katie Joten who dropped the first pitch she saw into left field to chase home pinch runner Oliva Dick and draw curtains on the tournament's opening contest.

The Hawks turn their attention to Thursday morning as top seeded Omaha awaits in game one of the double elimination bracket. UNO took two of three from UND in the regular season, but the Hawks lone win over the Mavericks came in emphatic fashion, 14-1 (5). First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Brookings, South Dakota. 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

• The win sends the Hawks into the double elimination portion of the Summit League Tournament for the first time since 2021
• Wednesday's victory gives UND 26 wins on the season tying the single season record set in 2018
• The run-rule win over NDSU marks the fifth such victory for the Hawks this season
• The shutout win is the fourth by the Hawks this season
• Lasota's three-RBI day moves her team-leading multi-RBI game total to 10 games
• Lasota's team-leading reached base streak moves to five games