ABERDEEN, S.D. — Freshman outfielder Madison Paige went 4-for-8 with two homers and four RBI as the Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team split to open the season. The Dragons used an 11-hit effort to top Minnesota Crookston, 6-3 in the second game after losing to Black Hills State, 7-3 in their season opener early in the day.

Paige was 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. Sophomore shortstop Taylor Roddie was 2-for-3 while freshman third baseman Emma Dummer hit a homer. Senior center fielder Carly Williamson was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Senior first baseman Lauren Meeker was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Sophomore Aunica Novacek was 1-for-3 with an RBI while sophomore catcher Savanah Tweet was 1-for-3 with a double. Freshman pitcher Payton Gaber was 1-for-2.

"We were able to get some things going offensively which was great to see," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "We are really proud of the way everyone bounced back after the first game. Our freshmen did a great job of stepping up in their first college games."

Gaber made her collegiate debut on the mound and allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings but received a no-decision. She struck out one and walked four. Freshman Becky Volkert, also making her collegiate debut, pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out two to pick up the victory in relief.

Paige hit a solo homer — her second of the day — to give MSUM a 1-0 lead in the first. Summer hit a solo homer in the fourth to put MSUM up 2-0.

The Golden Eagles came back with a three-run fifth, aided by a two-run homer from Maggie Morales, to take a 3-2 lead. MSUM tied the game in the bottom of the frame. Williamson reached on a bunt single and Roddie moved her to second on a sacrifice bunt. One out later, senior designated hitter Kristina Villalobos walked and Williamson moved to third on an error at the shortstop.

Meeker hit a ground-rule double down the left field line to score Williamson with the tying run. The Dragons then took a lead in the sixth. Volkert walked and was forced out at second on a fielder's choice by Tweet. Tweet moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a base hit by Novacek with what proved to be the winning run. A Williamson single scored Novacek, and later in the inning, Paige singled up the middle to score Williamson with the Dragons' sixth run.

In the opening loss to Black Hills State, Paige was 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. Freshman pitcher Jordan Hall was 1-for-2 with an RBI while senior first baseman Lauren Meeker had a double. Senior center fielder Carly Williamson, senior left fielder Hannah Klug and sophomore right fielder Aunica Novacek had hits.

Hall took the loss in her first collegiate outing. She went six innings and allowed seven runs, six earned, striking out two while walking two.

MSUM led 2-0 in the top of the first. Paige hit a two-run homer to score Williamson, who had reached on a bunt single to lead off the game.

Black Hills State scored single runs in the first, second and fourth innings to take a 3-2 lead, and broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning. The Dragons got a run back in the sixth as Hall's line drive went off the pitcher's glove for a hit, allowing freshman Taylor Kelenic, who was pinch-running for Meeker, to score. MSUM got no closer.

MSUM wraps up the week with two games on Friday in Aberdeen. The Dragons will face Minnesota Crookston at 10 a.m. and Minot State at noon in nonconference games.