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ABERDEEN, S.D. – Sophomore pitcher Kristen Nordby fired a four-hit shutout to help the Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team earn a 3-0 win over Northern State in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday in Aberdeen, S.D.. The second-game win helped MSUM earn a split on the day as the Wolves won the first game, 5-0.

MSUM is now 5-6 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with the win, while Northern State is 8-10 overall and 1-1 in the league.

"We played much better in the second game," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "We were able to put the ball in play and make some things happen offensively. Kristen Nordby threw a great game and our defense was solid behind her."

Nordby was stellar in firing the first complete-game shutout of her Dragon career. She struck out four and walked only two to give MSUM its second shutout on the mound this season.

Freshman third baseman Kristina Villalobos was 2-for-2 with two doubles and an RBI to lead the Dragon offense. Freshman first baseman Lauren Meeker and freshman Carly Williamson were each 1-for-2 with an RBI. Villalobos, junior shortstop Taylor Huss and freshman second baseman Jill Fox each scored runs for MSUM.

The Dragons got on the board in the bottom of the second (MSUM was home team in both games). Huss reached on an error to lead off the inning and moved to second on the play. Meeker singled to score Huss with the game's first run. Fox hit into a fielder's choice to force Meeker out at second, and out later later, scored when Villalobos crushed a double to right center, giving MSUM a 2-0 lead.

MSUM added a key insurance run in the fifth when Villalobos doubled to left center to lead off the inning. She moved to third on a groundout. One out later, Williamson reached on an infield hit to score Villalobos and give MSUM a 3-0 lead.

That proved to be more than enough for Nordby, who also benefitted from solid defense in the field. MSUM turned two double plays in the game, both times after Northern's leadoff hitter had reached base to lead off the inning.

In the opening game, one bad inning spelled doom for MSUM, as Northern State put together a four-run fifth inning, using four hits while talking advantage of two Dragon errors., on its way to the 5-0 win.

The Dragons had chances in the first game but left seven runners on base. Junior right fielder Rachel Sannicandro led the offense with a 2-for-3 effort and a stolen base while Meeker, Nordby and junior catcher Brittany York had hits for MSUM.

Sophomore Morgan Nybo took the loss for the Dragons, going the distance. She allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned), striking out seven while walking six.

The Dragons' best scoring chance was in the third. Villalobos led off with a walk and Sannicandro followed with a single to put runners on first and second with nobody out. However, a fielder's choice, a strikeout and a groundout ended the threat for MSUM.  

MSUM hits the road this weekend for a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheaders, starting Saturday at No. 11-ranked Augustana (noon first game). The Dragons will play at Wayne State on Monday to wrap up the weekend.