ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team dropped two nonconference games to open the season, falling to Dickinson State, 3-1 and Bellevue (Neb.), 7-0 at the Presentation Dome in Aberdeen, S.D.
 
In the opener against Dickinson State, senior first baseman Jordey Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI to account for the Dragon hits. Senior center fielder Shay Weber scored a run while freshman second baseman Eliyah McCarthy and freshman third baseman Ella Holliman each reached by a walk.
 
Smith's RBI single in the fourth scored Weber, who was hit by a pitch and tied the game at 1-1. Dickinson scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to put the game at 3-1.
 
Senior Anna Lang took the loss on the mound, giving up two earned runs in 3.1 innings. She struck out three. Sophomore Evey Evans allowed one earned run and four hits in two innings while freshman Emma Abbott pitched a scoreless 0.2 innings.
 
In the loss to Belleuve, Smith was once again 2-for-3 while freshman pitcher Avery Steffen was 1-for-2. Smith had a double.
 
Steffen took the loss in her collegiate debut, allowing five runs, four earned, in six innings. She struck out three and walked one. Abbott allowed two runs, one earned, in an inning of work.
 
MSUM will play two more nonconference games on Saturday, facing Mayville State at 2 p.m. and Valley City State at 6 p.m.