GRAND FORKS, N.D. - It is well-known that defense can alter the course of a game, and Western Illinois softball (14-22, 4-8) has heavily capitalized on the notion in its last few appearances. Strong play helped the group again defeat North Dakota (13-24, 5-7) on Sunday's (April 11) first matchup. UND hung on to a 2-1 win in the closer, and the series ended in a 2-2 split.

Sydney Hollings has been nothing short of spectacular all year long for WIU, especially in her batting game. The Leatherneck veteran is now up to a team-high nine home runs, which ties for ninth-highest all time in a single season. Her mark also remains one of the Summit League's best.
 

Game One

WIU 2, UND 0

Western's first three hits all transpired in the third inning. Bella Alvarez led off with a single, and Alyssa Ealy doubled far to the left field's fence afterward. In a déjà vu fashion, Hollings smartly made a sacrifice fly similarly to yesterday for a completed WIU run, bringing in Alvarez. Abrianna Gracia followed up by batting a two-out single.

WIU's defense performed exceptionally, not allowing a UND base hit until the bottom of the fourth.

Hollings swung home a solo bomb deep out to the left side with two outs in the fifth, extending Western's lead to 2-0. A focused, collective effort on defense steadied for the Leathernecks' first league shutout win.

Maddy Anderson (5-4) took the pitching win, while Savannah Rodriguez notched her second season save. Both pitchers struck out three Hawks.

Five different players picked up one hit, and the defense only surrendered two of those from UND. Hollings' two RBI was a game-high.
 

Game Two

UND 2, WIU 1

During the fourth, a run was marked on the board when UND succeeded on a two-out RBI single right up the middle. An inning later, the Fighting Hawks stretched the advantage to 2-0 on another RBI single in the infield.

Western had a few hits scattered throughout the contest. Ealy started with a single in the second before Ashley Minyard singled and stole second base during the third frame.

It was in the top of the sixth when WIU recorded its first run. Piper Foote singled and then reached second on a passed ball. Ealy delivered her second hit, a single to center field, allowing Foote to reach home base.

Three pitches were all put into play by Western in the seventh, but UND completed a trio of outs to walk off with a series-closing win. 

Ealy's two hits and one RBI led the way. Similar to game one, WIU had several players add in one hit.

Omaha is next on Western's schedule, as the Leathernecks take on the road series April 17-18.