FARGO, N.D. - Senior Kamren Ferguson tossed eight strikeouts and only allowed three hits to guide the Fighting Leatherneck softball team over South Dakota State, 4-0, in the opening game of The Summit League Tournament.

“It is definitely a big win,” said Ferguson of the first round win. “We came out with a lot intensity and we need to continue that throughout the rest of the tournament.”

The Leathernecks (34-17) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, scoring on a Julie DePolo RBI triple to right center and on a Jamie Goss RBI sacrifice bunt.

In the bottom of the fifth, Western tacked on two more runs to push their lead to four on a two-run homer to left field by sophomore Ashley Campbell.

The Jackrabbits (19-31) picked up only their third hit of the game in the top of the seventh as Dani Broshar started the South Dakota State rally with a single down the left field line. After a Kelsey Lunn pop up, Ferguson struck out Morgan McCabe to advance the Leathernecks to the second round of the tournament.

Western collected three more hits than the Jackrabbits (6-3), led by Campbell who was 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI. DePolo added a hit, a run and an RBI.

Both teams left three runners on base and South Dakota State committed two errors in the contest.

Ferguson (21-10) picked up the win from the circle, tossing her ninth shutout of the season in the complete-game performance. With the win, Ferguson became the school's all-time leader in career wins. The 75 career wins also ranks second all-time in Summit League history. 

“I am proud of the girls for coming out with a lot of energy today,” said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. “South Dakota State has a great pitcher so it was great to get six hits off of her.”

The Leathernecks will face North Dakota State game on Saturday, May 15 tentatively starting at 10 a.m.

Tournament Schedule

Friday, May 14

Game 1: #1 Western Illinois vs. #4 South Dakota State: WIU 4, SDSU 0

Game 2: #2 IPFW vs. #3 North Dakota State: NDSU 4, IPFW 2

Game 3: #4 South Dakota State vs #2 IPFW: IPFW 9, SDSU 1 (6)

Saturday, May 15

Game 4: #1 Western Illinois vs #3 North Dakota State, 10 a.m.

Game 5: #2 IPFW -G4 Loser, 12 p.m.

Game 6: G4 Winner-G5 Winner, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 16