AMES, IOWA --- The University of North Dakota softball team took to the field for its first action of the 2013 season and split a pair of games in the Iowa State Tournament.
UND 5, SDSU 3
University of North Dakota softball opened its 2013 campaign with a 5-3 win over South Dakota State tonight.
North Dakota had a quiet first and second inning with action picking up in the third.
South Dakota State jumped out to an early lead in the top of the third with UND quickly answering back with two runs to take the lead.
Cami Bennett (Grants Pass, Ore.) doubled down the left field line and was advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Freshman Nichole Babrowski (Oak Lawn, Ill.) was walked and later stole second to put herself in scoring position. Bennett scored and junior Caralyn Chewning (Willamina, Ore.) grounded out to second base scoring Babrowski and bring UND to 2-1 lead.
"This was a good start to the season," head coach Eric Oakley said. "Great base running, pitching and defense. Michelle pitched a solid game and Emma closed it out."
The Jackrabbits tied the game in the top of the fourth only to have UND respond with three runs.
North Dakota took the lead in the bottom of the fourth as senior Kenna Olsen (Issaquah, Wash.) pinch hit for Emily Bell (Elgin, Ill.) allowing Brittany Baker (Buena Park, Calif.) to advance the lead to one. Babrowski picked up 2 RBI scoring Bennett and D Jantzer (Grants Pass, Ore.).
"Cami Bennett had a great game at the plate," Oakley said. "We put together some runs when we needed them."
South Dakota scored late in the seventh on a throwing error to cut the gap to two, but North Dakota held on to the lead and came out with the win.
ISU 11, UND 1
The University of North Dakota softball team suffered its first loss falling 11-1 to Iowa State this evening.
UND falls to 1-1 on the season while ISU picks up its first win of the season.
"There were a few bright spots in a messy game," head coach Eric Oakley said. "Brittany Baker had a nice double. D Jantzer had nice defense and freshman Hannah Tometich had her first career hit and RBI. Other than those moments we're going to leave this game in the showers."
The Cyclones jumped to an early 4-run lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back scoring the game's first 11 runs.
ISU added five runs in the second inning and opened the game up in the third inning pushing a pair of runs.
North Dakota scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth when Hannah Tometich (Aberdeen, Wash.) singled to center field scoring Brittany Baker (Buena Park, Calif.).
ISU's Tori Torrescano recorded the win, pitching the complete game, allowing only two hits, one run and one walk.
UND returns to action tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. CST against Indiana State.
