BROOKINGS, S.D. – The North Dakota softball team was defeated by the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Sunday afternoon by a score of 8-0 in five innings from Jerald T. Moriarty Field. NoDak drops to 22-13 and 0-2 in the conference, while SDSU improves to 19-20 and 4-1 in the Summit League.

UND was outhit 8-2, with the two hits coming off the bats of Makenna Alexander and Jaedyn Valdez in the top of the fifth inning. Chloe Bethune drew a walk, with the Hawks leaving a total of three runners on base.

Tegan Livesay took the loss in the circle (9-5 record on the season), throwing 4.0 innings, allowing seven runs (four earned), six hits and two walks, while striking out three. Tehya Armstrong came in the game in the fifth inning, going .2 innings, surrendering one run and two hits.

How It Happened
The Jackrabbits struck first in the bottom of the first, as Livesay gave up a one-out walk, which was followed by an Amanda Vacanti RBI double, giving SDSU a 1-0 lead after one.

SDSU scored three more in the third inning on three hits. Livesay retired the first two hitters of the inning, before Bria Riebel smacked a two-out double. She was then brought in on an error made by Aleksia Severson at shortstop, making it 2-0.

Following a South Dakota State single and a wild pitch to move runners up to second and third base, Livesay gave up a two-rbi single to Abby Gentry, putting the Jackrabbits up 4-0 after three.

UND had a chance to get right back in the game in the top of the fifth inning, when Alexander and Valdez both logged hits, giving the Fighting Hawks runners on second and third with one out. The next batter, Chloe Bethune, grounded out to the pitcher, which was followed by a Brooklyn Morris foul out. The score stayed at 4-0.

The Jackrabbits scored four in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game. It started with a Riebel two-run homer to go up 6-0. Later in the frame, with two outs and runners on first and second, Alli Boyle hit a walk off double, driving in both runners on base, to give SDSU the 8-0 win in five innings.

The two teams will play the final game of the series tomorrow at 2:30 p.m., with coverage to be found on Midco Sports Plus.

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