PITTSBURG, Kan. – MSU Moorhead softball earned a two-game split with Nebraska Kearney to conclude the MIAA-NSIC Crossover on Sunday.
 
The Lopers won game one, 5-0 before the Dragons claimed game two in walk-off fashion, 4-3. 
 
Game One
 
The Dragons would be held hitless through the first two innings, which opened up an opportunity for the Lopers. Nebraska Kearney would score three runs on two hits and an error to lead 3-0. The damage could have been far worse for the Dragons, who were able to strand three runners on to end the frame. Teagan Pranchke earned MSUM's first hit in the top half on a single, but MSUM would not bring her around. Nebraska Kearney would score another run in the bottom half to take a 4-0 lead.
 
Annika Norman would get on base in the fourth inning, but MSUM would fall victim to a double play to end the frame. The Lopers would tack on another run in the bottom half to lead, 5-0 heading into the fifth inning. Nebraska Kearney would win the game by the same count. 
 
Game Two
 
Pitching would stall each team in the early innings of game two before the Dragons got going. In the bottom of the third inning, Avery Steffen would earn a one-out single, eventually stealing second base. After Pranchke would sacrifice Steffen to third, it was Norman who stepped to the plate. The senior cracked a rope to right field to drive home Steffen and provide MSUM a 1-0 lead. 
 
The Dragons would retain the one-run lead through four innings, but the Lopers would come alive in the fifth. Nebraska Kearney scored three runs on three hits to grab their first lead of the contest, 3-1. MSUM had a shot to score in the bottom of the sixth as Pranchke walked to leadoff the inning. After an Eliya Johnson single, Pranchke was on third base with only one out. However, MSUM fell victim to a dreaded double play to close the inning.
 
MSUM would have one final chance in the bottom of the seventh inning as Hailey Thurber would single with one out. The freshman would advance to second on a Loper error as Thurber would score in the next at-bat thanks to a double from Lacey Camden. With Camden on second base, Natalie Gonzalez would single to drive Camden home, tying the game at three runs. The Dragons would ground into another double play to send the game into extra frames. 
 
As the Dragons held the Lopers in check in the top of the eighth, it was Steffen who began the bottom half on second base. After Pranchke moved Steffen to third base on a single, Norman would step up. Norman would reach base on an error, which also saw Steffen score to clinch a Dragon victory. 
 
Up Next
 
MSUM (8-19) opens up NSIC play at home on Saturday, March 22 against Augustana. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.