Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team had chances in both games, but the big hit eluded the Dragons in both in 3-0 and 4-3 losses to Northern State in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Thursday.

MSUM fell to 2-15 overall and 0-2 in the NSIC, while Northern State improved to 10-10 overall and 2-0 in the league.

The Dragons left seven runners on base in each game, and in the second game, had two big scoring threats late but were unable to get the tying run across.
MSUM did play well in the field, with just one error in the two games, and freshmen pitchers Katie Edison and Morgan Nybo both had solid outings.

"We're doing some good things in the field and continuing to improve as a team," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "Our pitchers were solid for the most part and kept us in the games. Now it's a matter of becoming more consistent at the plate and being able to capitalize with runners on base."

In the first game, sophomore Brittany York was 2-for-2 with a stolen base for MSUM, while freshman Kelly Watson was 1-for-3. Sophomore Moriah Bruns was also 1-for-4 with a stolen base.

Edison had an outstanding outing going -- pitching five no-hit innings to start the game -- until a three-run homer by Morgan Schultz broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. She still finished with a solid performance, allowing just five hits and three earned runs in six innings. She struck out two and walked two.

MSUM had a threat going in the second inning when York and Watson hit back-to-back singles with one out, but a pair of strikeouts ended the threat. MSUM had runners on base in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings but was unable to push a run across.

In the second game, the Dragons had six hits, led by a 2-for-3 effort from sophomore Rachel Sannicandro, but once again left seven runners on. Sophomore Taylor Huss was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while senior Amanda Moore was 1-for-3 with an RBI. York added the other RBI for MSUM. Junior Whitney Finco and freshman Kristy Bruni also had hits for the Dragons.

The Dragons got on the board first. Sophomore Mollie Annen and Bruns walked to lead off the inning. Huss reached on an error at second, allowing Bruns to score, giving MSUM a 1-0 lead. Moore then reached base on an error, allowing Annen to score MSUM's second run.

Northern answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame, thanks to a two-run single by Kelsey Robling. The Wolves added two more runs off of MSUM's Kristen Nordby in the second to push the lead to 4-2.

The game stayed that way until the sixth. Huss led off the inning with a double, and Moore followed with a single. York hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Huss, bringing MSUM within 4-3. Bruni then added a single to push ahead junior Brandi Howell, who was pinch-running for Moore. Both runners moved ahead on a passed ball, putting the tying run at third and go-ahead run at second. However, a fly out and groundout ended the threat.

In the seventh, Sannicandro led off with a single, and moved to second when Bruns reached on an error. Annen laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners ahead. However, a strikeout and groundout ended that threat -- and the game for MSUM.

Nybo, who took over for Nordby after the second inning, did not allow a run in four innings of work. She struck out three and walked two and allowed just two hits.

The Dragons will be back in action on Friday at Wayne State for another NSIC twinbill, which is slated to begin at 2 p.m.