JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead softball wrapped up action at the Nelson Family Bubble Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The Dragons fell in a non-conference bout with Northern State, 5-4.
The Dragons would immediately threaten in the top of the first inning as
Loie Moore and
Lexie Wilson would earn free passes. However, Northern State would get out of the early jam without any runs from Moorhead. The Wolves would plate a run on a pair of hits in the home half. MSUM would threaten again in the second, loading the bases thanks to hits from
Riley McKeever and
Teagan Pranchke. Unfortunately for the Dragons, Northern State would stave off the threat to remain in front by a run.
MSUM would be held without a run in the third frame before Northern State would score three runs on two hits in the home half. Moorhead would begin its quest for a comeback in the fourth inning thanks to an RBI single from
Sami Macchiaroli. The freshman drove in Pranchke, who singled earlier in the inning with Macchiaroli later scoring thanks to a single from Moore. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, MSUM would trail by two runs, 4-2.
The Wolves would respond with another run in the bottom half of the inning to regain a three-run advantage.
Kayla Roidt would earn a one-out single in the fifth inning, eventually resulting in a run thanks to a double from
Lacey Camden. The Dragons would hold the Wolves without a run in the bottom half and would threaten again in the sixth frame. Macchiaroli would double with one out and would score in the next at-bat after another single from Moore.
Moorhead would later load the bases with one out, trailing by just one run. However, the Wolves would quickly collect two outs on a force out at home, followed by a strikeout. Heading into the seventh inning, MSUM still trailed 5-4. While Pranchke would walk in the top of the seventh to provide the tying run, MSUM would be unable to push the senior across. Northern State claimed the 5-4 non-conference victory.
Up Next
MSUM (1-7) will not compete again until February 27 as part of the Midwest College Classic in Shawnee, Kan. Moorhead is slated to play six games across three days as part of the tournament.