BEMIDJI, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead softball responded from a heartbreaking game one loss to Bemidji State on Thursday. The Dragons totaled 14 hits to help earn an NSIC split with the Beavers.
Game One
Both teams would be held without a hit across the first two frames before Moorhead broke the spell.
Teagan Pranchke would earn a one-out single in the third inning, but the Dragons would not push anything across.
Riley McKeever would secure a single in the fourth inning but would not advance past second.
Brynna Farman would not allow her first hit until the home half of the fourth. However, the senior would keep Bemidji State off the scoreboard.
The Beavers would sneak across a run in the bottom of the fifth to break the scoreless tie. Needing a run, Moorhead would respond in the sixth frame as Pranchke led off the inning with a single. Pranchke would move to third base later in the inning, eventually scoring in the midst of a double play.
MSUM would earn a baserunner in the top of the seventh after a single from
Kayla Roidt. However, Moorhead would not be able to break the tie before the bottom of the inning. Bemidji State would load the bases with one out, later winning the game on a walk off single. The Beavers claimed game one 2-1 despite Farman only surrendering one earned run.
Game Two
The Dragons would get their bats going in the second game as Pranchke led off the contest with a single. Pranchke would later score in the inning after a single from
Lexie Wilson, putting Moorhead up 1-0. MSUM would continue to score into the second inning as the Dragons loaded the bases with one out. After a walk drove home one run, a passed ball would provide MSUM a three-run lead.
While
Bella Hess held the Beavers scoreless through three frames, Moorhead would capitalize again in the fourth. The Dragons would put a pair of runners on before
Sami Macchiaroli and
Riley McKeever drove home runs to provide a five-run cushion.
Morgan Kingsbury,
Loie Moore and Pranchke would help Moorhead load the bases again in the fifth inning. The Dragons would post a 7-0 lead before the frame ended after a bases loaded walk and a fly out.
Bemidji State would get three runs back in the home half, but MSUM answered with offense again. Wilson led off the sixth inning with a double before the Dragons had two runners in scoring position with Moore at the plate. The true freshman would earn a single to drive in both runs. Before the end of the inning, MSUM led 10-3.
MSUM would put the finishing touches on a solid game in the final inning.
Courtney Locke singled to open the frame, only to be driven in by Wilson in the ensuing at-bat. The senior would later score to put the Dragons up nine runs. The Beavers would score a pair in the bottom half, but Moorhead would prevail 12-5. Pranchke and Wilson had three hits while Hess pitched a complete game with five strikeouts.
Up Next
MSUM (6-35, 4-14 NSIC) returns home for a doubleheader with Minnesota Duluth on Sunday beginning at noon.
