MOORHEAD, Minn. – Despite recording nine hits, the Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team came up short against No. 19 Winona State on Monday, falling to the Warriors 8-3 in action at the Nemzek Softball Field in Moorhead, Minn.

MSUM fell to 12-25 on the year while Winona State improved to 38-10. The second game of Monday's doubleheader was canceled because of weather.

The Dragons had nine hits and had opportunities with runners on base, but left 11 runners on base on a cold and snowy day in Moorhead.

"We did a good job of putting the ball in play despite the weather conditions," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "We just have to stay out of the big inning."

Sophomore first baseman Lauren Meeker was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while junior pitcher Morgan Nybo was 2-for-3. Senior catcher Brittany York was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.  Senior center fielder Mollie Annen, sophomore designated player Hannah Klug, senior shortstop Taylor Huss and junior outfielder Kristy Bruni all had hits for the Dragons. Sophomore third baseman Kristina Villalobos had an RBI.

Nybo took the loss, going seven innings. She allowed eight runs (five earned), striking out three while walking two.

Winona State jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first, with a pair of triples providing the big hits for the Warriors.

The Dragons got on the board in the bottom of the first. Annen walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Klug. York crushed a double to left field to score Annen with MSUM's first run.

The Warriors added another unearned run in the third. MSUM answered with a run in the fourth. With one out, Bruni singled, and moved to second when Nybo walked. One out later, Meeker doubled down the left field line to score Bruni, bringing MSUM within 7-2.

Winona State added another run in the sixth. The Dragons scored in the seventh. Klug singled, and one out later, Huss singled. One out later, Nybo singled to load the bases. Villalobos walked to force in Klug, bringing MSUM within 8-3. The Dragons left the bases loaded – one of two times they did that during the game – as a strikeout ended the game.

MSUM hosts St. Cloud State on Wednesday for its final home doubleheader of the season. The twinbill begins at 2 p.m. in Moorhead.