MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead softball suffered a pair of NSIC setbacks on Saturday afternoon against the University of Sioux Falls. 

The Cougars claimed game one by a 4-2 count before winning game two, 2-0. 

Game One

Neither team would earn a hit through two innings with Dragon starter Brynna Farman collecting four strikeouts in the early going. The Cougars would earn the game's first hit on a bunt single, but would eventually strand three on base. Farman worked out of the jam with her fifth strikeout followed by a popup. Avery Steffen would gather the first Dragon hit in the home half, but would not advance in the frame. 

Sioux Falls would capitalize in the fourth inning, earning a single before hitting a two-run homer to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage. MSUM would be held in check again in the bottom half to keep the score as is. The Coo would plate an additional two runs on two hits and a Dragon error in the fifth to extend their lead to four runs. From there, MSUM's freshmen contingent would provide a spark as Mary Schmidt earned a one-out single in the bottom of the fifth. In the ensuing at-bat, fellow freshman Hailey Thurber would crank a two-run shot to right center to cut the deficit in half. The home run is the first of Thurber's collegiate career. Teagan Pranchke would single in the next at-bat, but MSUM would be unable to reduce the Cougar lead before the frame's ending. 

MSUM would have chances to tie in the sixth and seventh innings as well. Natalie Gonzalez led off the bottom of the sixth with a single, eventually moving third base after Eliya Johnson singled in the next at-bat. From there, Sioux Falls ace Maddi Duncan would fan three straight Dragons to end the inning. Thurber would leadoff the seventh with a single, but Duncan would not surrender another run. Sioux Falls would win by a final score of 4-2. 

Game Two

Teagan Clemmons would begin the game strong for MSUM, striking out three straight Coo batters to get out of the first inning. The Dragons would gather their first hit of the game in the bottom of the second as Schmidt earned a two-out single, but would not advance beyond first base. MSUM would threaten again in the third inning as Clemmons kept Sioux Falls off the scoreboard. Pranchke would walk to begin the inning before stealing second base, eventually moving to third off a single from Annika Norman. However, USF would strand two runners on to keep the game scoreless heading into the fourth inning. 

The Cougars would respond after getting out of the jam, scoring two runs on three hits and a Dragon error to claim a 2-0 lead. MSUM would be held without a run in the fourth despite a leadoff single from Lexie Wilson. Norman would single again in the bottom of the fifth, but would not advance beyond first. All the while, Clemmons continued to stifle USF batters to keep the deficit at two runs. While Clemmons was sharp all afternoon, MSUM would not manage a hit across the sixth and seventh innings to secure a 2-0 win for the Coo. Clemmons pitched a complete game, not allowing an earned run with eight strikeouts. 

Up Next

MSUM (12-29, 4-10 NSIC) will take on Wayne State in an NSIC doubleheader tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.