MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead softball was led by a strong pitching effort from Bella Hess in game two of an NSIC doubleheader with Minnesota Duluth on Sunday. The Dragons and Bulldogs split the conference twinbill. 

Game One

Minnesota Duluth would immediately find an offensive rhythm in game one, scoring five runs on three hits and an error in the top of the second inning. Kayla Roidt would earn the first Dragon hit in the home half on a single, but MSUM would not bring anything across. The Bulldogs would add one run to their lead in the fourth frame to extend their advantage to six runs. Moorhead would respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning after Riley McKeever secured a leadoff single. In the ensuing at-bat, Courtney Locke would smack a double to left center, scoring McKeever from first base. 

The visitors would explode in the top of the sixth inning, scoring nine runs on four hits to take a commanding 15-1 lead. The Dragons were held off the scoreboard in the home half, concluding the game in six innings. 

Game Two

Moorhead would rebound in the second contest as Teagan Pranchke and Locke earned hits in the bottom of the first inning. While the Dragons would not bring a run across, it laid momentum for the home team. Loie Moore and Pranchke would collect hits in the second inning, but the Bulldogs would strand three on base to conclude the frame. Minnesota Duluth would break the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning, scoring a run on two hits. 

The Dragons would bounce back to regain the lead in the home half of the same inning. Morgan Kingsbury led off the bottom half with a double, moving to third base in the ensuing at-bat. With no outs, MSUM would employ a double steal, which had Moore swiping second while Kingsbury simultaneously scored from third base. McKeever would later single home Moore to post a 2-1 Dragon lead. MSUM was not done there either as Lexie Wilson would double later in the frame to create a 4-1 Dragon lead. Moorhead finished the game with 11 hits, including three from McKeever. 

Bella Hess would pace the Dragons throughout the contest, turning in another quality start in the circle. Hess would only allow a total of three hits, including holding a perfect game through three innings. The Folsom, Calif., native tallied seven strikeouts while only allowing one earned run in the game. Hess collected her fourth pitching decision of the season in the complete game effort. 

Up Next

MSUM (7-36, 5-15 NSIC) remains at home as they look towards an NSIC doubleheader against Minnesota Crookston Wednesday beginning at noon.