MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota Duluth took two games from the Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team on Wednesday, topping the Dragons 4-2 and 17-3 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action.
 
In the opener, MSUM got a solid combined pitching outing from freshman Emma Abbott and sophomore Reece Dahl but managed just three hits against UMD starter Lauren Dixon.
 
Freshman catcher Piper McKibbin was 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch for MSUM while sophomore first baseman Evey Evans and freshman shortstop Annika Norman were each 1-for-3. Freshman designated hitter Ella Holiman had an RBI.
 
Abbott took the loss, giving up three earned runs in 3.2 innings. She struck out six. Dahl pitched well in relief, giving up one earned run in 3.1 innings. She struck out three.
 
MSUM brought the winning run to the plate in bottom of the seventh but a strikeout ended the contest.
 
In Game 2, UMD hit four home runs to build a big lead on its way to the win.
 
Steffen was 2-for-3 with a homer and RBI. McCarthy was 2-for-2 while sophomore Evey Evans was 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored.  Smith was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
 
Steffen took the loss giving up eight earned runs in 2.2 innings. Evans gave up nine earned runs in 2.1 innings.
 
MSUM plays at Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday at 1 p.m. for an NSIC doubleheader.