SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – MSU Moorhead softball would earn another NSIC split on Saturday afternoon as the Dragons took a game from the University of Sioux Falls. 
 
Sioux Falls would win the first game, 3-1, after two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Dragons would plate seven runs in the first inning en route to a 10-5 victory to close the weekend. 
 
Game One
 
Both teams would utilize pitching and defense in the early innings as Sioux Falls starter Maddi Duncan would hold the Dragons hitless through the first three frames. Despite not getting a hit, MSUM would threaten in the top of the third inning. Evey Evans would get on base with a leadoff walk before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Hannah Losee would walk in the next at-bat to put a pair of runners on. Evans would eventually score on a Cougar error, coupled with an obstruction call. The Dragons earned their first hit in the fourth inning on a single from Eliya Johnson. 
 
Through four innings, MSUM led 1-0 behind some stellar work in the circle by Evans. The senior would start the game for MSUM and would only surrender two hits through four frames with just one walk. Evans also struck out a Cougar in that span, leaving four stranded on base as well. Evans would run into trouble in the fifth inning, surrendering a pair of hits before being substituted from the game for Teagan Clemmons. Sioux Falls would eventually tie the game in the inning on the two hits before Clemmons ended the frame with a ground out. 
 
In the top of the sixth, MSUM would load the bases with one out following an Azalya Lopez single to kick off the frame. The Dragons would occupy the other two bases after Johnson was hit by a pitch and Chloe Makinney drew a walk. Johnson would be called out after leaving second base early before the Cougars ended the inning with a ground out. To that point, MSUM had left five runners on base.
 
The Cougars would get runners to second and third in the home half of the sixth inning on Clemmons. With two outs, Sioux Falls would earn a two RBI single to take a 3-1 lead. That lead would hold heading into the final inning. 
 
With three outs left, Eliyah McCarthy would get the Dragons started in the seventh with a one-out single. Sioux Falls would secure the second out before striking out the final Dragon batter to win 3-1. 
 
Game Two
 
The Dragons would jump out to a massive lead in the first inning of game two. MSUM would strike first as Makinney would reach on a single and would eventually cross home on a wild pitch. Azalya Lopez, who walked earlier in the inning, would score on a single from Annika Norman with only one out. The Dragons would load the bases as Evans would single, advancing Norman and Mack Gallagher. McCarthy would then step up and break the game open, clearing the bags with a double to right field. 
 
MSUM was not done there as Ella Holiman would get a base hit to put two more runners on. Lizzy Davis would drive both Holiman and McCarthy in on another double. After one inning, MSUM led 7-0 as Lopez started in the circle for the Dragons, surrendering just one hit in the home half of the first. 
 
Gallagher would keep the Dragon bats hot in the second inning, singling with one out as Norman would earn her second hit of the ballgame with a single of her own. Holiman would drive both runners in a few at-bats later to make the score 9-0 in favor of MSUM. Sioux Falls would counter with a run in the home half of the second. 
 
The Dragons scoring streak would continue into the third inning as Davis would score on a single from Gallagher. MSUM would strand two runners on base in the frame and would give up three runs to the Cougars in the home half. Clemmons would come on in the third inning and hold Sioux Falls scoreless, only allowing two hits across the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The Cougars would hold the Dragons without a run in the same stretch. MSUM would go scoreless in the seventh inning, needing three outs for a win. 
 
Clemmons would surrender a run with one out before the freshman rallied. She would get a ground out for out number two before clinching the game with a strikeout. 
 
Up Next
 
MSUM (20-15, 7-7 NSIC) will conclude its six-game road trip on Wednesday in a doubleheader against the University of Mary. First pitch from Bismarck, N.D., is slated for 1 p.m.