ROSEMONT, Ill. – MSU Moorhead softball opened the 2025 Dome Invitational on Thursday with a two-game split against Purdue Northwest and Grand Valley State. 
 
MSUM began the tournament with a 3-0 win over Purdue Northwest. The Dragons closed the first day in a 2-0 loss to Grand Valley State.
 
Game One
 
The Dragons would be held without a hit through the first two innings while the Pride only mustered a pair of singles in the same stretch. Dragon starter Teagan Clemmons would not allow a runner into scoring position, however, collecting a pair of strikeouts through two frames. 
 
In the third inning, Olivia Goderis would work out a one-out walk to provide MSUM's first baserunner. Goderis would move into scoring position following a sacrifice from Teagan Pranchke. In the ensuing at-bat, senior Avery Steffen would rope a triple to score Goderis and provide the contest's first run. Natalie Gonzalez would score Steffen not long after on a double. Clemmons would continue to hold the Pride scoreless in the home half and would toss a hitless fourth inning. 
 
The top of the fifth inning saw Steffen single again before stealing second base to end up in scoring position. Annika Norman would drive Steffen home on a sacrifice fly to centerfield, putting MSUM up, 3-0. 
 
Throughout the rest of the game, Clemmons would only surrender one hit and would keep Purdue Northwest off the scoreboard. Clemmons twirled a complete game shutout, surrendering just four hits and striking out six. The win was the sophomore's second of the young season. 
 
Game Two
 
Both offenses would struggle in the opening innings as MSUM would not manage a hit through the first two innings. Steffen started in the circle for MSUM and would also hold the Lakers without a hit through three innings. Pranchke would get the game's first hit in the bottom of the third on a bunt single. However, MSUM would not manage a run despite the baserunner. 
 
It was not until the top of the fifth inning where Grand Valley State would score two runs on three hits off of Steffen. While freshman Jessie Henry would give the Dragons a spark in the home half off a double, MSUM would not score a run. Bella Hess would twirl a scoreless sixth and seventh for MSUM, but the Dragons could not manage a run in the contest. The Lakers claimed the game, 2-0. 
 
Up Next
 
MSUM (6-7) is back inside the Lewis Dome tomorrow for games against Upper Iowa and Hillsdale College. Action begins at 1:30 p.m.