BROOKINGS, S.D. – North Dakota State softball dropped a doubleheader on Monday to South Dakota State, falling 12-3 and 1-0 without giving up an earned run in the two games at Jackrabbit Softball Stadium.
Bella Dean gave the Bison a first inning lead in game one, as she hit a two-RBI double off the wall in left center, scoring Carley Goetschius and Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage. However, South Dakota State would tie the game in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on an error to score a pair of unearned runs with a two-out single.
NDSU would go back in front in the top of the third, as Goetschius hit a solo home run to lead off the third to give the Bison a 3-2 lead.
Following the two unearned runs in the first, Lyle retired the next seven, including the side in order in the second and third. However, the Jackrabbits would capitalize on a two-out error in the fourth inning, with a dropped pop up. SDSU would then rally off eight-straight hits, starting with a 3-run home run to take the lead. SDSU would score 10 unearned runs in the inning.
Goetschius and Skylar Padgett finished with two hits in the game. Lyle was dealt the loss as she finished with nine unearned in 3.2 innings on six hits.
In game two, Paige Vargas and Tori Kniesche battled in a pitching duel, taking a scoreless game into the sixth inning. SDSU would take the lead after a pair of passed balls allowed a one-out single to reach third. The SDSU baserunner would then score on a two-out single for an unearned run.
The Bison would get a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh from Ava Chavarria. After a sacrifice bunt moved Chavarria to second, she would get thrown out at home on a single to right from Chloe Woldruff.
Vargas finished the game with seven strikeouts, allowing just the one unearned run on four hits. Goetschius and Woldruff finished with the two hits for the Bison, who also had four walks.
North Dakota State will return to Summit League play on Saturday, as the Bison make their first trip to St. Thomas to take on the Tommies in a three-game series. The series opens with a doubleheader on April 22 at noon. The third game will be on April 23 at 11 a.m.
