Western Illinois Softball Takes the Series Over NDSU

FARGO, N.D. - Fighting Leatherneck softball is first in the Summit League standings after winning the finale 6-1 over North Dakota State. The win solidifies the series victory for Western Illinois, it's first over NDSU since 2009.

The Leatherneck offense exploded for 12 hits and five earned runs off of NDSU starting pitcher Krista Menke (16-7) in the contest to hand her the first Summit League loss of the year.

Kelsey Michelini (12-6) earned the win in the circle holding the Bison bats to four hits and one earned run.

In the top of the first, Sammy Marshall got the inning started with a single and advanced to scoring position on an errant throw. KC Dunne followed it up with a perfectly placed bunt single, but Marshall was caught at home on the play for the first out. A groundout and line out kept the Leathernecks at bay.

After a three up, three down bottom half of an inning, the Western Illinois offense kept their momentum in the second. Ashley Campbell singled to right to open the frame, but a Bison double play put two outs on the board. Hailey Bickford singled up the middle and stayed at first after a groundout put the inning in the books.

NDSU got their first knock of the ball game in the second with a lead off single through the left side. But the defense used a fly out, groundout and Michelini strikeout to halt the Bison.

Following a scoreless third and fourth, Western Illinois ended the scoring draught in the fifth. Briana Williams walked, Marshall singled then Dunne sent a liner into left for her 19th RBI of the season. An errant throw allowed Marshall to slide in safely to stake the 2-0 Leatherneck advantage.

In the sixth, the Leathernecks strung together back to back singles out of Lia Romeo and Campbell for Emma Jarrell who sent the first pitch of her at bat deep over the left field fence. The three-run bomb was the first of her collegiate career.

The Bison spoiled Michelini's shut out with a solo homerun in the bottom of the sixth but Jamie Goss returned the favor in the top of the seventh with her fifth homerun of the season to give the contest it's final 6-1 score.

Four Leathernecks, Marshall, Dunne, Romeo and Campbell, had multiple hits in the game, while Jarrell was the RBI leader with three.

Goss, Bickford, Jarrell and Williams each had a hit apiece in the ballgame.

The Leathernecks are back in action on Tuesday (April 10) with a doubleheader against Wisconsin in Madison, Wisc. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

#WIUAthletics

Print Friendly Version