TAMPA, Fla.--Nicole Rivera had three hits and scored both runs as North Dakota State University defeated Michigan State 2-1 in the first game, and host University of South Florida erupted for six runs in the sixth to beat the Bison 7-1 on Saturday, Feb. 20, during the second day of the USF La Quinta Inn & Suites Tournament at USF Softball Stadium.

North Dakota State (4-5), which is 1-3 this weekend, is scheduled to close out tournament play against Wright State (1-3) at 10:15 a.m. The Raiders are playing NC State and Hofstra tonight.

Melissa Chmielewski and Rivera teamed up to push across both runs for North Dakota State. Chmielewski belted a pair of doubles for the second straight game, one in the first inning to give the Bison a 1-0 lead and another in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie.

Michigan State (3-4) tied the game when Kylene Hopkins scored on a sacrifice bunt. Hopkins had two of the Spartans four hits in the game.

Whitney Johnson (2-3) bounced back from a pair of losses Friday with an impressive effort. Johnson struck out five and walked two. Shelby Wise and Lauren Kramer worked on the mound for Michigan State with Kramer picking up the loss. Kramer struck out five and walked one over the final three innings.

Janine Richardson went 4 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored as USF (5-3) sent 11 batters to the plate in the sixth inning to score six times and break a 1-1 tie. The Bulls outhit NDSU 11-3.

North Dakota State had tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Rivera stroked a two-out RBI single to send Taylor Lynn across the plate.

The Bison were limited by three hits by a pair of USF pitchers, Kristen Gordon and Lindsey Richardson. Richardson (2-0) picked up the win in relief, striking out five with no walks over the final 2.2 innings. Randi Parks (2-2) was tagged with the loss. Parks struck out three and walked two.