BROOKINGS, S.D. – The North Dakota softball team dropped its conference opener to South Dakota State on Saturday afternoon, by a score of 14-6 in five innings from Jerald T. Moriarty Field. The Hawks fall to 22-12 overall and 0-1 in the Summit League, while the Jackrabbits improve to 18-20 and 3-1 in conference play.

The Hawks were outhit 16-9, allowing the Jackrabbits to score in all five innings, including surrendering five runs in the bottom of the first to fall behind 5-0.

Aleksia Severson, Makenna Alexander and Chloe Bethune all recorded two hits, while Jaedyn Valdez hit her second home run of the season, going 1-for-2 on the afternoon. Taya Hopfauf and Camryn Lasota each contributed with hits in the ballgame.

Unity Nelson picked up the loss (8-5 on the season), allowing nine earned runs in 1.1 innings, surrendering seven hits and three walks, while striking out two. Tehya Armstrong came in relief, giving up five earned runs and nine hits across 3.1 innings. She struck out two and walked one.

How It Happened
North Dakota left two on base in the top of the first, with Severson reaching on a walk and Hopfauf getting on with a single, to put runners on first and second with one out. Katelyn Neumayer struck out looking, which was followed by a Hailey Bethune flyout, to keep the game tied at 0-0.

Nelson struck out the first batter in the bottom of the first, before allowing five-straight hits (four extra base hits), resulting in four runs for the Jackrabbits. SDSU would end up scoring five on five hits in the frame, to go up 5-0.

NoDak answered with four runs and five hits in the top of the second, started by a leadoff double from Alexander. She was quickly brought home by Valdez, who cranked her second home run of the season to center field, making it 5-2.

Chloe Bethune and Lasota each tallied singles, bringing Severson up with one out. The freshman delivered with an RBI single to bring in Bethune and advance Lasota to third, inching UND closer, down 5-3. Hopfauf hit a sac fly, putting the score at 5-4 after an inning and a half.

SDSU scored four in the bottom of the second on three hits, including a leadoff solo home run, making it 6-4. The Jackrabbits owned a 9-4 lead after two.

UND battled, answering with two of its own in the top of the third, as Chloe Bethune laced an RBI double to bring in Alexander, who got on with a double. Morris then hit a sacrifice fly, to drive in Valdez, who reached on a hit-by-pitch, cutting the score to 9-6.

The Hawks would by outscored 5-0 for the rest of the game, logging just one hit. The Jackrabbits scored two in the top of the third, one in the top of fourth and two in the top of the fifth, to secure the 14-6 run-rule victory.

The two teams will square off again tomorrow at 1 p.m., with coverage set to be on Midco Sports Plus.

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