GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Prepared for another weekend of competition, Western Illinois softball (13-21, 3-7) visited North Dakota (12-23, 4-6) on Saturday (April 10) to begin a week three Summit League series. The Leathernecks shined on defense during game one, en route to capturing a 2-1 decision. Game two went to UND in a 3-0 shutout win.
 

Game One

WIU 2, UND 1

Western impressed in its batting game from the start, as the team outhit North Dakota 4-0 through the first two innings. After Kellie Marcheschi singled to lead off the third, pinch-runner Ami Ill and Savannah Rodriguez both were placed in scoring position on a Fighting Hawks throwing error. Seizing the opportunity, Sydney Hollings batted a sacrifice fly to bring home Ill and put WIU on the board first.

On the defensive side, the Leathernecks excelled in not allowing a UND batter to reach base after three periods. Alyssa Ealy helped WIU bump its lead to 2-0 by singling, stealing second, and scoring on a wild pitch.

UND found its way on the board in the fourth - smacking an inside-the-park homer. The Fighting Hawks filled in bases a couple of additional times throughout the sixth inning, but Western's defense ultimately proved too much. It was five times that the Leathernecks completed 1-2-3 innings. Additionally, they ended with a 9-3 advantage in hits.

Abby Carlin went the distance to secure a pitching win (5-10), allowing only one run and striking out three batters.

Marcheschi and Ealy led with two hits apiece. Five different Leathernecks contributed one of their own. Gabriela Drager fell within that bunch, securing her first collegiate hit in the seventh.
 

Game Two

UND 3, WIU 0

The WIU defense continued to flourish early on into game two - Rodriguez quickly picked up five strikeouts in the circle.

North Dakota loaded the bases in the fourth, and Western first prevented a run by tagging a base runner out at home plate. On the next at-bat, UND scored on an error by the Leathernecks.

WIU created a threat in the sixth by loading the bases. Abrianna Gracia made her way to first base on an infield error, followed by drawn walks from Rodriguez and Hollings. However, all three were left stranded as the defensive battle persisted.

UND added in two more runs in its half of the sixth. An RBI double was slapped to left field before a single increased the lead to 3-0. Ealy walked to first base for Western in the seventh, but the host hung on to end things with a walk-off.

Rodriguez (4-7) struck out a game-high seven batters. Gracia, Hollings, and Jorja Hudson all chipped in one hit each.

Two more games will finish this series tomorrow (April 11), as Sunday's doubleheader starts at noon.