MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead softball picked up a pivotal series split with Minnesota Duluth on Saturday afternoon, rallying for a nice game two win to close competition on Nemzek Softball Field. 

The Bulldogs one a quirky game one, 6-3, before MSUM battled for a 3-1 game two win. The game two win is the first victory over Minnesota Duluth since March 29, 2016. 

Game One

Neither team would find offense to open the contest as Dragon starter Evey Evans set the Bulldogs down in order, including a pair of fly outs. In the home half, Minnesota Duluth starter (and reigning NSIC Pitcher of the Year) Lauren Dixon would fan three Dragons to get out of the inning. The Bulldogs would strike first in the top of the second inning, capitalizing on a two-out double to score a run and lead 1-0. The Dragons would respond in the home half as Eliya Johnson would reach base on a Bulldog error. Annika Norman would get MSUM's first hit of the ballgame on a single in the next at-bat. Sam Centeno would walk with one out to load the bases on Dixon. 

With the bases full, Eliyah McCarthy would be struck by a pitch on the elbow, leading to MSUM's first run. With the score tied 1-1 with two outs, Lizzy Davis would look to give the Dragons their first lead. The senior would strike out swinging, but the ball would be dropped, leading to a passed ball. Because of this, Norman would cross home as Davis reached first before the Bulldog catcher could recover. Despite not registering any hits to drive in the runs, MSUM led 2-1. In the top of the third, Minnesota Duluth would get to Evans, plating three runs on three hits to lead 4-2. Dixon would hold the Dragons scoreless in the home half. 

The Bulldogs would score another run in the top of the fourth to lead 5-2. MSUM would respond in the bottom half as Evans would reach on an infield single before Centeno followed suit, pushing Evans to third base. With Chloe Makinney up and one out, Dixon would send a pitch high and past the catcher, guiding Evans towards home to put the score at 5-3. Minnesota Duluth would score again on Dragon pitcher Kaelyn Leverson in the top of the fifth to lead 6-3. 

From there, Dixon would settle in, downing Dragon batters left and right, only allowing two hits across the final three innings. Dixon would strike out 14 Dragons to help UMD to a 6-3 win in game one. 

Game Two

Game two would see Azalya Lopez in the circle for MSUM as the sophomore would retire the Bulldog side to begin the game. Lopez would reach on an error in the home half and would eventually move to third base following a single from Mack Gallagher. However, MSUM would not be able to break the scoreless tie in the inning. Lopez would give up her first hit of the contest in the second inning, but would close the frame with a strikeout to keep the game scoreless. Norman would leadoff the bottom of the second with a single, moving to second on a sacrifice in the next at-bat. 

With two outs, McCarthy would step up and send a ball up the middle, scoring Norman and notching her second RBI of the series. McCarthy's base hit would give MSUM the first run of the game as they would lead 1-0. The Bulldogs would equalize in the third inning following a Dragon error, netting an unearned run before Lopez would strand a Bulldog on base to end the inning. Gallagher would get things started for the Dragons in the bottom half, working out a two-out walk before Johnson was hit by a pitch. With two on and two outs, head coach Mike Armitage opted to pinch run speedster Hannah Losee for Gallagher. 

It proved to be a smart move for the third-year man as Norman would continue her strong day with a single, scoring Losee and moving Johnson into scoring position. Across two games on Saturday, Norman had four hits in six at-bats. Lopez would rally after a leadoff walk in the fourth to preserve the 2-1 Dragon lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. Neither team would find any offensive answers in the fifth frame with only two hits between the two clubs. 

A double play would close the bottom half of the fifth for Minnesota Duluth and would provide a spark for the visitors in the sixth. The Bulldogs worked out a leadoff single and were looking to sacrifice bunt in the ensuing at-bat. Minnesota Duluth would pop up the bunt attempt as the runner headed towards second. Lopez would race towards the pop up and make the catch before firing a rocket to first base to complete the double play. The effort completely erased any momentum Minnesota Duluth had and firmly placed it in the Dragon dugout. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Centeno would reach base on a walk with Ella Holiman taking on the baserunning duties. Holiman would move to third base in the next at-bat on a Bulldog error. Following the blunder, McCarthy would grab her third RBI of the afternoon thanks to a picture perfect bunt, which scored Holiman. With three outs needed, MSUM held a 3-1 advantage. 

Lopez would give up a leadoff single before striking out back-to-back Bulldogs to earn two outs. From there, the sophomore would earn her 15th win of the year with a game-sealing fly out. 

Up Next

MSUM (27-17, 14-8 NSIC) plays its final two home games of the 2024 season tomorrow afternoon in a doubleheader with St. Cloud State. First pitch is scheduled for noon.