MOORHEAD, Minn. – The MSU Moorhead softball team rallied twice to down SMSU, 6-3 and 3-2, in an NSIC softball doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Nemzek Field.

SMSU is now 17-26 on the year and 8-12 in the NSIC, while MSUM moves 24-16 overall and 11-7 in conference play.

Riley Kramolisch got things going early in the game with a lead-off single to center field before moving to third on an Abby Russell infield single. Russell stole second on the following play before Jillian Noel roped a grounder down the left field line to plate both runners and give SMSU the early 2-0 lead.

The next Mustang run came in the following inning, and this time it was Abby Boxrud getting it started by reaching on an error by the Dragon first baseman. Brynn Webber laid down a sac bunt to move Boxrud to second before Paris Van Dyke reached first on a single to center field to put two runners on base. 

Riley Kramolisch knocked her second hit of the game in the following at-bat to score Boxrud and give the Mustangs the 3-0 lead going into the third inning.

The next set of runs came in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Dragons. Lizzy Davis got the Dragojns going with a single to left field before Mack Gallagher walked to put two runners on base with no outs. Azalya Lopez found her way to first after being hit by a pitch and MSUM capitalized on the bases-loaded situation. Annika Norman placed a ball in left-center field to plate a pair of runs and cut the Mustangs' lead to one run.

The Mustangs threatened in the top of the fifth by placing a runner on first with just one out. Unfortunately, the Dragons stopped the threat to hold the score at 3-2.

A pitching change for the Mustangs in the fifth inning saw Karlie Miller enter in relief for Morgyn Otte. The Dragons took advantage of the pitching change by drawing a walk and moving to second a wild pitch in the following play. A sacrifice bunt from Chloe Makinney moved the runner to third before a single plated the run and tied the game at 3-3.

MSU Moorhead had a massive sixth inning to total six unanswered runs for the Dragons.

Karlie Miller (9-13) was tabbed with a blown save and the loss in game one. Miller allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two in two innings.

Game two started similarly to game one, with the Mustangs striking first early on in the game.

Back-to-back singles from Emma Humpal and Grace Anderson got things going for the Mustangs before Abby Boxrud loaded the bases for Brynn Webber. A ground ball to the shortstop was unfortunately not enough to score Humpal, as she was thrown out at the plate. 

SMSU finally broke through on a passed ball that scored Grace Anderson. In the following at-bat Paris Van Dyke rolled a grounder to second base to plate the second Mustang run and put SMSU up 2-0. 

The Dragons returned the favor in the fourth and sixth innings, scoring two runs in the fourth and one in the sixth before shutting down SMSU in the seventh to close out the game.

Karlie Miller (9-14) was also handed the loss in game two. Miller allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out two.

SMSU tallied seven hits in the game with Abby Russell and Brynn Webber tallying three and two hits, respectively.

The Mustangs return home on Tuesday, April 16, facing off against the Sioux Falls Cougars on Mustang Field, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.