Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State softball team earned a split against non-conference opponent Minnesota-Duluth Wednesday afternoon at RiverHawks Park.

The Bulldogs (13-10) took the first game of the day by a 9-3 margin, and the RiverHawks (20-8) picked up the 3-1 win in the series finale.

UMD 9, NSU 3 (box score)
After two scoreless opening innings, the Bulldogs used a four-run third to pull ahead 4-0. Northeastern State brought three home in the bottom of the third inning to fall one run shy of UMD and trail 4-3. Scoring first for NSU was freshman Lauren Flanary on a single shot down the left field line from freshman Madison Boyd. Senior Megan Robison brought home the other two runners, Boyd and senior Madison Reed on a single to left field.

UMD tacked on five more runs in the top of the fourth frame to improve the lead to 9-3.

The RiverHawks were unable to score another run for the remainder of the seven-inning game and fell to the Bulldogs 9-3.

Flanary and Robison were both 2-for-3 to lead the RiverHawks at the plate. Robison finished with two runs batted in. NSU was outhit 12-7 in the series opener.

Sophomore Kayce Wooldridge (9-4) took the loss in the circle after throwing the opening 3.2 frames. She allowed 10 hits and nine runs (five earned). Senior Kylee Cole came on in relief and threw the final 3.1 innings. She allowed only two hits and did not concede a walk or run.

NSU 3, UMD 1 (box score)
Northeastern State came out in the home half of the first frame and plated two runs to take the early advantage over the visitors. Flanary scored the first run after reaching base on a walk. An infield single from Robison scored Reed. Reed also reached base on a walk.

The lead remained in the RiverHawks' favor throughout the rest of the game, but the Bulldogs were able to cut the lead in half with a single run in the fourth.

NSU plated an insurance run in the in the sixth to move ahead 3-1 when freshman Krysti Cearley drove home junior Alyssa Aguilar. Aguilar reached base on a walk.

Junior Laura Fleck (4-1) tabbed the win in the circle after throwing a complete game. She allowed only four hits and one run, while striking out six and not issuing a walk.

The Bulldogs outhit the RiverHawks 4-3.

Northeastern State will host a doubleheader with Fort Hays State at noon March 21 at RiverHawks Park.

Northeastern State Head Coach Clay Davis
On earning the split…
"That was a really good team we just played out of the Northern Sun, and we knew that coming in. It was a good experience to match up with them and see where we are as a program as we continue to strive to reach new heights."

On game one…
"(UMD) came out and did what we thought they would do. They swung the bats really well. Kayce (Wooldridge) got herself into some trouble. That wasn't her finest outing of the year. Kylee Cole came in and gave us a ray of light as far as the circle goes. Their pitcher (Cayli Sadler) did a good job and kept us off balance."

On game two…
"It was nice for us to bounce back after that tough loss. Laura Fleck was fantastic in the circle for us. She only allowed four hits over seven innings and struck out six. That is just a big time effort. We were able to manufacture some runs in the first inning and Krysti Cearley had a big hit for us in the sixth inning to give us a little bit of a cushion. When we are struggling at the plate I feel that it is important to manufacture runs and we were able to do that in the second game."

On upcoming conference opponents Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney…
"We have Fort Hays coming in and they have been in or around the top 25 all year long. They'll do a good job and are well coached. Both of us are vying for the tops spot in the conference so it's a big series there. Nebraska-Kearney will also be tough for us on Saturday. They are coming off a big win against Washburn. They're playing well and swinging the bats as well as anybody in the conference. We have a big weekend ahead of us. Our pitching staff is going to have to settle down and pitch well."

-GoRiverHawksGo.com-