LINCOLN, Neb.--The University of Nebraska pulled out a pair of extra inning wins defeating North Dakota State University by the scores of 2-1 in nine innings and 3-2 in 10 innings in women's college softball Tuesday, March 17, in the Huskers home opener at Bowlin Stadium.

North Dakota State (12-10, 2-1 Summit) is scheduled to play Creighton University (11-7, 3-0 Missouri Valley) in a 3 p.m. doubleheader Wednesday, March 18, at the CU Sports Complex in Omaha.

In the opener, the Bison jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Nicole Rivera walked and advanced to third on a Breanna Konz single. Taylor Mortensen's ground out to shortstop chased Rivera home.

Nebraska (17-5) tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on Darcy Rutherford's RBI double to right center. Rutherford's double was the only extra-base hit allowed by both pitchers.

The Huskers loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of ninth and Crystal Carwile's single to right brought home the winning run.

Nebraska's Molly Hill (12-3) scattered five hits over nine innings to record the win. She struck out seven and walked five.

Andi Padilla (9-5) picked up the loss for NDSU. Padilla allowed nine hits, walked six and struck out one.

In the nightcap, Melissa Chmielewski hit a two-run home run to left field to give the Bison a short lived 2-0 lead in the first inning. It was Chmielewski's fourth home run of the season.

The Huskers answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Amanda Duran's double down the left field line chased home a pair of runs to to tie the game after that.

Julie Bechtel scored the game-winning run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning. Bechtel advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scampered home on a Bison throwing error.

Hill worked the final five innings in relief for starter Ashley Hagemann. Hill didn't allow a hit, struck out three and walked two.

Kim Westendorf (1-2) went 9.2 innings for North Dakota State. Westendorf gave up eight hits, walked seven and struck out one.

Laurel Pipkin led the Bison with a 3 for 5 effort at the plate, while Bechtel collected three hits for Nebraska.

The Huskers stranded 13 runners on base in both games, while NDSU left 10 runners on base in each contest.