OMAHA, Neb. – North Dakota softball punched back in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader with preseason favorite Omaha from Connie Claussen Field. The Hawks were shutout in a run-rule decision in the series opener, but bounced back with a 14-1 win over the Mavericks as both contests were decided in five innings. The statement win moves UND back to .500 on the season at 17-17 and pushes the Hawks’ Summit League record to 2-3. Omaha moves to 21-9 and is even with North Dakota in the league standings.
UND produced a dozen hits in the win with Hailey Bethune, Taya Hopfauf, Makenna Alexander, and Callie Honig each accounting for a pair of base knocks. All four players recorded an extra base hit with Honig delivering a three-run blast, as part of a four-RBI game, out to center field in the fifth for the victory’s exclamation point.
North Dakota showcased a short memory following the game one defeat and struck for a pair of runs in the second as Bethune and Brooklyn House recorded run-scoring base knocks to push the Hawks out front 2-0 through two innings. UND pushed across four runs in the third inning on just two hits, while an UNO fielding error, two walks, two hit-by-pitch and a pair of fielder’s choices helped pad the Hawks’ advantage at 6-0.
Four more runs crossed for the visitors in the fourth inning as Camryn Lasota and Bethune notched RBI singles, while Honig walked in a run and House delivered a sacrifice fly to stake the Hawks to a 10-0 lead.
That was more than enough support for UND starter Makaela Carr who tossed a complete game with eight strikeouts while scattering five UNO hits, two of which came in the final inning.
In the series opener, the Mavericks cruised to a 20-0 win in five innings behind a dozen hits, seven for extra bases including four home runs, and a 12-run third inning. Two UNO arms did not allow a UND baserunner.
The Hawks close out the series on Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch in the rubber match. Live coverage links for the series are available at www.FightingHawks.com.
For more information on North Dakota softball, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDsoftball.
Postgame Notes
- UND matched its single-game high this season in RBI with 12
- The 14 runs are the most allowed by Omaha this season
- The Hawks scored 10+ runs in a game for the fifth time this season
- UND recorded 10+ hits for the tenth time this season and registered a dozen for the fourth time this campaign
- The Hawks drew six walks in the win for the fourth time this season in addition to being hit-by-pitch three times which matches the single game high this season for UND
- Honig’s four runs scored are the most by a Hawk in a game this season
- Carr went the distance for the fourth time this season to earn her seventh win
- She recorded her fourth game this season with seven or more strikeouts as she finished with eight
— UND —
