MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead softball would begin their home competitions on Tuesday afternoon, splitting an NSIC doubleheader with Northern State on SCHEELS Field at Nemzek Stadium.

The Wolves won game won in six innings, 15-5 before the Dragons would rally to defeat Northern State 4-1 to close the day. 

Game One

The Wolves would begin the first game with some hot bats, plating four runs on Dragon starter Evey Evans. MSUM would surrender a pair of runs in the frame due to a fielding error. Northern State would continue the offensive attack in the third and fourth innings, scoring an additional five runs to make the score 8-0. Through three innings, the Dragons had just one hit on Northern State starter Lexi Chase. However, MSUM would begin to stir in the home half of the fourth inning as they would earn a baserunner on an error to begin the frame. Azalya Lopez would draw a one-out walk to put herself on first and move Eliya Johnson into scoring position. Sam Centeno would load the bags in the next at-bat with a single. 

The Dragons would take advantage of another Wolves error to score their first run of the contest and trim the lead to seven runs. With the bases still loaded, senior Evey Evans would step to the plate, looking to make an impact. The Burlington, Conn., native would do just that, smashing a grand slam over the right field fence to make the score 8-5 in favor of Northern State. That score would hold firm until the top of the sixth inning despite the Dragons earning three more hits in the home half of the fifth inning off the bats of Lizzy Davis, Mack Gallagher and Lopez. 

Northern State's bats would heat up in the sixth as they would go on to score seven runs on five hits with MSUM walking four Wolves in the frame. It would be enough for the visitors to claim a 15-5 run rule win in six innings. Chase was strong for Northern State despite giving up the five runs as she would strike out a pair of Dragons in the win. 

Game Two

Northern State would be met with reigning NSIC Pitcher of the Week Lopez in game two with the sophomore beginning the contest in earnest. Lopez struck out four Wolves through two innings of play and did not surrender a hit until the third frame. The Corona, Calif., native would strand three Wolves on base in the inning, collecting another pair of strikeouts. MSUM would utilize Lopez's hot start in the home half of the inning. Centeno and Chloe Makinney would work out walks to put a pair of Dragons on base. Both would advance a base on a wild pitch in the next at-bat before Centeno scored on a Northern State fielding error. 

Eliya Johnson would eventually push across Makinney on a sacrifice fly as Gallagher would step up with Davis on second base. The sophomore would touch 'em all, cracking a ball over the right field fence, pushing the Dragon lead to 4-0. Gallagher's tater also happened to be the first Dragon hit of the contest. While Lopez would give up a solo shot in the next inning, MSUM would still lead 4-1 after four innings of play. 

Lopez would give up a single in the fifth inning, but would rally again to leave the Wolves without a run heading into the sixth inning. Annika Norman would earn the second hit of the game for MSUM, singling in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, MSUM would not be able to push across an insurance run. While Lopez was replaced by Teagan Clemmons in the sixth inning, she would make a return in the seventh after Clemmons was injured. 

Needing three outs to clinch the game, Lopez would only need 11 pitches to set the Wolves down and win the game for MSUM. Lopez would earn her 10th win of the season in the process and would conclude the game with 10 strikeouts. 

Up Next

MSUM (18-14, 5-5 NSIC) is back on the road this weekend for doubleheaders against Wayne State and Sioux Falls. Weekend action begins against the Wildcats on Saturday beginning at noon.