MOORHEAD, Minn. – Junior outfielder Kristy Bruni was 3-for-4 with five RBI to help the Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team outlast Upper Iowa, 9-8 in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Saturday at the Nemzek Softball Field. The win gave MSUM a split on the day as Upper Iowa won the first game, 15-0 in five innings.

MSUM is now 12-24 on the season while Upper Iowa is now 18-25.

The Dragons also held Senior Day on Saturday, honoring their four seniors -- outfielder Mollie Annen, shortstop Taylor Huss, outfielder Rachel Sannicandro and catcher Brittany York -- in between games.

In the second game, MSUM pounded out 13 hits, five of which went for extra bases. Bruni had a huge game, going 3-for-4 with a grand slam and a double. Sophomore first baseman Lauren Meeker and Huss were each 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sophomore third baseman Kristina Villalobos was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, while sophomore pitcher Carly Williamson was 2-for-3.  York, sophomore designated hitter Hannah Klug and Sannicandro all had hits for MSUM.

Williamson earned the first pitching win of her collegiate career with the first complete game of her collegiate career. She allowed eight runs (seven earned) in seven innings, striking out two and walking two.

"It was nice to see us bounce back strong in the second game. It was a great team win," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "We hit the ball really well, and Carly did a good job of battling on the mound for us to get the win."

Upper Iowa scored three runs in the top of the first to take a 3-0 lead. The Dragons responded in a big way, scoring six runs of their own.

Senior center fielder Mollie Annen was hit by a pitch and was forced out at second on a fielder's choice by Klug. York walked, and Huss singled to center to load the bases. Bruni delivered big for the Dragons, crushing a grand slam over the center field fence to put MSUM up 4-3.

Meeker singled, and one out later, Villalobos clobbered a shot to left that easily cleared the fence. The two-run homer put MSUM up 6-3.

The Dragons added to the lead in the second. With one out, Klug singled, and one out later, Huss doubled to right center to drive in a run. Bruni also stepped up with a big two-out hit, a double down the left field line, to make it 8-3.
Upper Iowa cut the lead to 8-5 with single runs in the third and fourth innings. MSUM answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth. With two out, Bruni singled, and Meeker followed with a double off of the fence in center field to score her, making it 9-5.

The Peacocks cut the lead to 9-7 with two runs in the fifth, and they mounted a huge threat in the seventh. They scored a run to make it 9-8 and had the bases loaded with two out, but Williamson got Sammons to fly out to shortstop to end the game.

In the opening game, MSUM managed two hits – infield singles by York and Williamson. Junior pitcher Morgan Nybo took the loss, allowing 15 runs (12 earned) in five innings. She struck out five and walked four while allowing 13 hits.

Upper Iowa used a six-run third inning to break the game open and added nine runs in the fourth to stretch the lead.
MSUM hosts No. 19-ranked Winona State for a doubleheader beginning at noon on Sunday.