MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team lost a doubleheader to Wayne State on Friday, falling 6-1 and 6-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action at the MSUM Softball Field.

MSUM fell to 11-11 overall and 1-7 in the NSIC with the losses while Wayne State improved to 19-11 overall and 5-5 in the league.

The Dragons were hindered on the day by seven errors and by a lack of timely hitting (MSUM left 15 runners on base in the two games).

"We have to find a way to string hits together," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "And we have to play better, more consistent defense if we are going to stop teams from scoring."

In the first game, senior catcher Brittany York was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Senior shortstop Taylor Huss was 2-for-4 while junior right fielder Kristy Bruni was 1-for-2. Sophomore third baseman Carly Williamson was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Junior pitcher Morgan Nybo suffered the loss on the mound despite giving up only two earned runs in seven innings. She struck out three and walked two. Four of the six runs MSUM surrendered were unearned.

MSUM had a great scoring opportunity in the second inning, loading the bases with one out. Nybo walked and was forced out at second on a fielder's choice bunt by sophomore Hannah Klug. Bruni was hit by a pitch, and Meeker walked to load the bases with one out. However, a fielder's choice forced the runner out at home for the second out, and a groundout ended the inning.

Wayne State scored four times in the third inning, thanks to three hits and three Dragon errors. The Wildcats added single runs in the fourth and sixth to push the lead to 6-0.

The Dragons got on the board in the seventh. Williamson reached on an infield hit and advanced to second when the ball was thrown away. Two outs later, York doubled to left to score Williamson with the Dragons' lone run of the game. A strikeout ended the game for the Dragons, however. MSUM left nine runners on base in the game.

In the second game, Williamson was 2-for-3 to lead the offense. Huss and Klug were each 1-for-3 with a double while York and sophomore first baseman Lauren Meeker each had hits.

Junior pitcher Kristen Nordby took the loss for MSUM, going four innings. She allowed six runs, but only one was earned. She walked one. Williamson pitched well in relief, going three scoreless innings with one strikeout.

MSUM, which left six runners on base in the game, had its best scoring chance in the fourth. York singled and was pinch-ran for by senior Rachel Sannicandro. One out later, Klug doubled, moving Sannicandro to third. But a fly out ended that threat.

A four-run fourth inning proved to be the difference, as the Wildcats scored four runs off of three hits and two Dragon errors.

MSUM plays host to No. 18-ranked Augustana at noon on Saturday.