ABERDEEN, S.D. – MSU Moorhead softball saw clutch hitting all afternoon as the Dragons swept a twinbill with Northern State led by six hits from Annika Norman. 
 
The Dragons won the first game 5-4 before completing the sweep with an 8-6 victory in eight innings in game two. The victories are the first NSIC wins for Vanessa Kellems. 
 
Game One
 
MSUM would immediately threaten in the first inning as Jessie Henry led off the game on base after a Northern State error. The Dragons would later load the bases after a single from Annika Norman and a walk from Eliya Johnson. Despite there being only one out, MSUM would be unable to break the scoreless tie, stranding all three on base. A similar scenario would play out in the second inning as Henry and Avery Steffen earned singles to fill the bags again. However, MSUM would be unable to bring anything across, stranding three on base again. 
 
Dragon starter Isabel Rodriguez would keep the Wolves in check through two frames. Despite a pair of walks in the second frame, Rodriguez would help facilitate a double play, followed by a strikeout to end the inning. MSUM would get runners at second and third in the third inning but would not score again to keep the game scoreless. Northern State would score one run on a passed ball in the home half to take a 1-0 lead. 
 
After both teams were held without a run in the fourth inning, Norman would get on to leadoff the fifth with a single. MSUM would later load the bases and tie the game after a hit by pitch. The Dragons would take their first lead of the game after Teagan Pranchke reached base on a Wolves error. With the bases loaded in the next at-bat, Henry would stripe a single to drive home two more runs. 
 
Northern State would collect a run in the home half to cut the deficit in half heading into the sixth. After Johnson doubled to leadoff the sixth, the Dragons would extend their lead to 5-2 after an RBI single from Natalie Gonzalez. Northern State would respond, scoring two runs to make the count 5-4 heading into the final inning. 
 
Brynna Farman would clinch the victory for the Dragons in the bottom of the seventh. Farman would strand two Wolves on base to secure the 5-4 win for MSUM. Rodriguez earned her first career victory in the game with Farman securing a save. 
 
Game Two
 
Lacey Camden would get the offense started in the second game, earning a one-out single in the top of the second inning. After making it all the way to third base with two outs, Pranchke would drive Camden home to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead. Farman, who started game two for MSUM, would hold the Wolves scoreless through three frames. 
 
It was not until the fourth inning where Northern State would get to Farman. The Wolves scored the equalizing run in the home half. Farman would strand the go-ahead run on second base to keep the game tied. As the Dragons struggled to score in the top of the fifth, Northern State took advantage, scoring a run on two hits to lead 2-1.
 
MSUM would be held in check again in the top of the sixth inning as the Wolves extended their lead in the home half. The home team scored three runs on three hits to lead 5-1 heading into the final inning. Steffen would limit the damage in the circle for the Dragons, stranding three Wolves on base.
 
The Dragons would not go down quietly, however, in the top of the seventh inning. Trailing by four runs, Henry got the frame started with a single. Norman would drive Henry in on a single of her own with two outs to make the score 5-2. Johnson would then step up and single before Lexie Wilson drove in Norman with yet another single. 
 
With two on and two outs, MSUM opted to Teagan Clemmons for a pinch hit. The sophomore provided, clearing the bags with a double, scoring both Johnson and Wilson to tie the game. While Clemmons would advance to third base on the play, MSUM would not be able to take the one-run advantage. Bella Hess would toss a scoreless bottom half to send the game into extra innings. 
 
The eighth inning provided the Dragons a chance at the lead. Pranchke would find base on a single with one out. The junior moved to third base after Steffen reached first on a Northern State error with Steffen eventually stealing second. With two on and two outs, the senior Norman stepped into the batters box. The Geneva, Ill., native proceeded to smack her fourth hit of the game up the middle for a single. Norman's hit scored Pranchke to put MSUM up 6-5. 
 
MSUM was not done there as Johnson would triple in the ensuing at-bat to drive in her fellow seniors. The Dragons took an 8-5 lead with them into the bottom half of the inning. While the Wolves would give MSUM a scare, loading the bases with no outs, the freshman Hess would compose herself. Hess would force a ground out, followed by two fly outs to clinch the game for the Dragons. The pitching decision victory is the first collegiate win for the freshman. 
 
Norman finished the afternoon with six hits in 10 attempts at the plate.
 
Up Next
 
MSUM (10-23, 2-4 NSIC) will look towards a doubleheader against Winona State which is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m.