SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team (6-23 overall, 1-9 NSIC) close their weekend with losses of 4-2 and 2-1 against Northern State (9-21, 3-7) on Saturday afternoon at Open Spaces Park.
 
The Mustangs scored early, as a Shelby Bloemendaal walk and Abby Russell single were followed up by a two-run triple from Jillian Noel to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
 
The only other scoring came in the bottom of the third, as the Wolves scored four runs on three hits and a pair of costly errors to bring the game to its final score. 
 
Russell, Noel, and Paige Ahrendt each collected a pair of hits to lead the offense, and Bloemendaal (1-5) allowed four runs (two earned) on 11 hits while striking out three.
 
In game two, Karlie Miller (2-8) held the Wolves in check through four innings before an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth broke a scoreless tie. 
 
Noel looked to get SMSU on the board in the seventh inning, smacking a leadoff double to right center. down to their final out in the seventh, the Mustangs would finally even it up, as Ahrendt singled through the left side to bring in Noel.  
 
NSU sent the dagger in the bottom of the inning, picking up a two-out, RBI single of their own to walk it off. 
 
Ahrendt continued her stellar start to conference play, posting her fourth consecutive game with at least two hits. 
 
Miller closed the game allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits and five walks while striking out one. 
 
The Mustangs next action is Tuesday for their home opener against Wayne State for a doubleheader starting at 2 pm. Games played at The Schwan Regional Event Center.