EMPORIA, Kan. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team dropped a pair of nonconference games on Friday in Emporia, Kan., losing to Illinois-Springfield 16-5 and Emporia State 9-0.

The Dragons are now 2-2. 

"It was a rocky road today but we have to get back to our strengths on Saturday," MSUM head coach Amanda Reckamp said. "We just never really grabbed ahold of the game today and couldn't stop the other team from bigger innings. We have an opportunity to go back on the field with an opponent from today and take advantage of some adjustments. We will re-group and get back to what we know how to do - grit it out and find a way.

Against Illinois-Springfield, MSUM led 5-2 heading into the fifth before the Prairie Stars scored 14 unanswered runs over the final three innings to surge into a 16-5 lead.

Emma Dummer was 2-for-3 with three RBI while Elizabeth Johnson was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Jordey Smith was 2-for-4 while Samantha Gjerde added a hit. Jade Hollands, Shay Weber and Kyle Washnieski scored runs. 

Anna Lang took the loss for MSUM, giving up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings. She struck out one and walked five. Ashtyn Jurging gave up three earned runs in 0.2 innings while Washnieski gave up six earned runs in 1.2 innings. 

Dummer's fielder's choice on a bunt scored Smith in the first, and Johnson hit a two-run double in the second to make it 3-1. Dummer followed with an RBI single.  In the fifth, Dummer added another RBI single to make it 5-2.

In the loss to Emporia State, a seven-run third inning was the big difference for the Hornets (7-1), who outhit the Dragons 11-2.

Johnson and Gjerde had hits for MSUM.

Freshman Reece Dahl took the loss, giving up seven runs (six earned) in 2.2 innings. Jurging allowed two runs and didn't record an out while Washnieski pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings to finish the game for the Dragons.

MSUM will face Illinois-Springfield at 10 a.m. and Washburn at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in Emporia.