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WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Freshman Kelly Watson went 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team to a 7-4 win over Bemidji State on Tuesday at the NSIC Dome Crossover in West St. Paul, Minn. The win helped the Dragons earn a split on the day as they lost to MInnesota-Duluth, 8-0 to open the tournament.

Watson, making her collegiate debut, had a two-run single to spark a big five-run fourth inning for MSUM (1-1).  Sophomore Moriah Bruns was 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored, while freshman Kristen Nordby was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.  Senior Amanda Moore homered for the Dragons, while sophomore Mollie Annen and sophomore Taylor Huss each had hits as well.

Freshman Morgan Nybo picked up the win in her collegiate debut for MSUM, going five innings. She struck out five and walked one while allowing three earned runs. Freshman Taylor Clifton allowed just one run in two innings of relief.

Bemidji State scored twice in the first to take a 2-0 lead. Moore led off the top of the second with a homer to bring the Dragons within 2-1, but Bemidji added a run in the bottom of the second to push the lead back to two runs at 3-1.

Trailing by two runs entering the fourth, MSUM gained the momentum. With one out, Huss and Nordby hit back-to-back singles. A groundout moved both runners ahead a base. Watson then singled to score both runners, tying the game at 3-3.  Bruns singled, moving Watson to second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. An error at third on a grounder by Annen allowed Watson to score the go-ahead run.

An error at third on a grounder by sophomore Rachel Sannicandro allowed Bruns to score, making it 5-3. Annen scored on a passed ball to make it 6-3.
MSUM added an insurance run in the fifth when Watson singled home Nordby, who had walked and stole a base earlier in the inning.

Clifton came in relief in the sixth and finished the game for MSUM.
Earlier in the day, MSUM lost to Minnesota-Duluth, 8-0, in five innings.  Rachel Sannicandro singled in the third inning for the Dragons, while Kristen Nordby and Brittany York each reached base by walks.

Brandi Howell took the loss for MSUM, going four innings. She allowed 10 hits and eight runs, all earned, striking out one while walking four.

MSUM will play three games on Saturday to wrap up the tournament.  The Dragons will face Northern State at 10 a.m., Bemidji State at noon and Minnesota-Duluth at 2 p.m. to wrap up the two-day event. While all of the games at the tournament are against conference foes, all are nonconference games.