KISSIMEE, FLORIDA --- The University of North Dakota softball team split the first two games of The Rebel Games defeating Detroit 5-4 and falling to Creighton 9-0.
UND 5, Detroit 4
North Dakota took an early lead in the first inning when Nicole Babrowski (Oak Lawn, Ill.) singled to the pitcher. Babrowski stole second and was hit home when Kenna Olsen (Issaquah, Wash.) flied out to right field.
Detroit took the lead in the second scoring two runs and UND answered back in the fourth when Amanda Johnson (Ashby, Minn.) hit a home run to center field.
The Titans scored a run in the top of the fifth inning. North Dakota tied the game at three when Olsen homered to center field.
Both teams scored a run in the eighth. UND's Taylor Donnelly scored when she made it home on a sacrifice fly to right field from Courtney Gonzales (Costa Mesa, Calif.).
UND sealed the deal in the bottom of the ninth after Babrowski was placed on second, advanced to third by a sacrifice bunt by Cami Bennett (Grants Pass, Ore.), and then was able to score when D Jantzer (Grants Pass, Ore.) singled to center field.
"It was a good character win," head coach Eric Oakley said. "After missing a couple of opportunities to break the game open, we hung on to scratch out the win in nine. Credit goes out to Michelle Frank and Emma Gronseth for keeping us in the game until we could get the win."
UND 0, Creighton 9
North Dakota dropped to 3-11 in the season after suffering a 9-0 loss to Creighton.
Creighton came out strong scoring six runs in the first inning. They scored two more in the second and UND couldn't rally back.
The Blue Jays scored their ninth run of the game at the bottom of the fourth.
"We can't spot teams six-run innings and then not respond at the plate," Oakley said. "One bright spot was having Caralyn Chewning (Willamina, Ore.) back in the circle. She pitched well in relief."
North Dakota will play two more games tomorrow against Lehigh and Akron.
