AMES, Iowa--The middle of North Dakota State University's lineup combined for 11 runs batted in and 10 hits as the Bison defeated IUPUI by the scores of 8-0 and 8-2  in a Summit League women's softball doubleheader played Thursday, April 2, at the Iowa State University Southwest Athletic Complex.

NDSU (19-13, 7-1 Summit)  and IUPUI (3-31, 1-10 Summit) close out the three-game series at noon Friday, April 3. The Bison are tied for first place in the Summit League standings with Western Illinois (14-14, 7-1 Summit).

The Bison jumped on IUPUI with five runs in the first inning of the nightcap. The explosion was highlighted by the three-run home run off the bat of Breanna Konz. It was the second home run of the season for Konz.

North Dakota State extended the lead to 7-0 in the fourth inning as Kelly Cantrell and Melissa Chmielewski ripped back-to-back RBI doubles. The pair combined to hit .625 (10-16) in the doubleheader with 11 RBI, five runs scored, three doubles and a pair of home runs.

IUPUI broke up the shutout bid in the sixth inning on Cayleigh Harvey's two-out RBI single. Laura Wilcox went 2 for 3 with a double for the Jaguars. Stacy Harte hit a solo home run in the seventh to close out the scoring.

The Bison had 12 hits led by Chmielewski's 3 for 4 effort at the plate that including a double, two RBI and two runs scored. She was 6 for 8 with seven RBI and four runs scored overall. Taylor Lynn stroked a triple and single, while Cantrell had two RBI, a double and single.

Kim Westendorf (4-3) recorded her third straight win on the mound for NDSU. She allowed nine hits, struck out six and walked two.

Samantha Bumbaugh (1-9) and Amy Raker pitched for IUPUI with Bumbaugh picking up the loss.

The middle of North Dakota State's lineup had seven RBI and five hits in the first game. Cantrell put the Bison ahead 2-0 in the first inning of the first game. Cantrell took a 2-0 pitch and connected for a two-run home run. It was her third home run of the season.

North Dakota State extended the lead to 6-0 in the fourth inning on Chmielewski's grand slam. Chmielewski hit a 0-1 pitch to left field and quickly emptied the bases. It was her seventh home run of the season.

Chmielewski went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and four RBI, and Cantrell went 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI as NDSU outhit IUPUI 11-2. Richel Briones and Nicole Rivera each had two hits, while Rivera also added a pair of stolen bases.

Andi Padilla (13-7) worked out of several jams to record her fourth shutout of the season. A double play in the first inning ended one threat. Padilla had runners at first and third with no outs in the third, but recorded a strikeout and fielded her position twice to end that Jaguars rally. She struck out three and walked one.

Lauren Popov (0-7) recorded the loss. Sarah Oppelt and Laura Wilcox each had a single for IUPUI.