ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State Wolves tallied a pair of walk-offs to sweep the Mustangs, 6-5 in 10 innings in game one and 1-0 in game two, in an NSIC doubleheader at Koehler Hall of Fame Field on Saturday afternoon.
SMSU drops to 17-24 overall and 8-10 in NSIC play. NSU moves to 20-18 on the year and 6-12 in conference play.
SMSU started game one hot, scoring three runs on a pair of hits in the first inning.
Abby Russell drew a walk with two outs to get the Mustangs started before sliding safely into second on a fielder's choice.
Emma Humpal singled to right field to score Russell before
Molly Bull drilled one down the right-field line to score Humpal and
Jillian Noel, giving SMSU the early 3-0 lead.
NSU countered right away in the bottom of the first. Similarly to the Mustangs, the Wolves started their rally with a two-out walk. Another walk put runners on first and second for NSU's Emma Owens, who doubled to left field to score both runners and cut the deficit to one run. Avarie Eagle doubled the following at-bat to plate the third NSU run and tie the game.
Neither team could get momentum until Northern State finally broke through in the sixth inning. A double to left field put a runner in scoring position before a walk and an error loaded the bases for the Wolves. Taylor Coleman singled through the left side to score the runner from third and push NSU ahead 4-3.
Paris Van Dyke led off the seventh inning with a triple to right-center field to give a surge of momentum to the Mustang bats. With two outs,
Abby Russell walked to put runners on the corners for
Jillian Noel. Noel singled through the left side to plate the tying run and put the pressure on the Wolves.
The first extra inning's run didn't come until the 10th inning, which saw the Mustangs strike first.
Abby Boxrud got things going with a single and stole second base the play after to put a runner in scoring position.
Makenna Waldow came in to pinch-hit and dropped a single into right-center field to score Boxrud and give SMSU the 5-4 lead.
Unfortunately, the lead would not last long, as the Wolves came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the inning. A single through the left side followed by a triple tied the game and gave NSU all the momentum necessary for completing the comeback. The next batter drew a walk and a walk-off single on the next play ended the game.
Karlie Miller (9-12) was handed the loss in game one after entering in the fifth inning when the game was tied 3-3. Miller allowed three runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out a pair in 5 1/3 innings.
Morgyn Otte threw four innings and allowed three runs on just two hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
The Mustangs totaled nine hits and eight walks in game one while committing four errors on defense.
Game two was rather uneventful, with both teams stringing together just three hits apiece.
The lonely run scored in the game came in the seventh inning. The Wolves began the inning by drawing a walk then laid down a sac bunt to move the runner to second. Avarie Eagle reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on the throw before Liv Richardson walked it off on a single to center field.
Morgyn Otte (8-10) was tabbed with the loss in game two. Otte allowed one run on three hits and a walk while picking up a strikeout.
The Mustangs continue play on the road with a doubleheader against MSU Moorhead tomorrow, with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 12 p.m.
