INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.--IUPUI scored five runs in the first inning and hit three home runs as the Jaguars defeated North Dakota State 9-3 in a Summit League women's softball game played Friday, March 26, at the IUPUI Softball Complex. 

North Dakota State (3-1 Summit, 18-13) and IUPUI (2-5 Summit, 5-18) conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 27.

IUPUI sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning and took advantage of five hits, a walk and Bison error to score five times. The big blow was Alicia Hayes' three-run home run to right field. The Bison committed four errors in the game.

Each team finished with eight hits, but the Jaguars had three home runs overall. Laura Wilcox led off the fifth with a homer to left, while Mia Ettel started the sixth with a solo shot to right. Kelsey Ruppert and Ettel both had two hits for IUPUI

North Dakota State freshman Becca Gift hit her first collegiate home run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 7-3. Nicole Rivera led the Bison with a 3 for 4 effort at the plate.

Whitney Johnson (13-9) and Randi Parks pitched for NDSU with Johnson picking up the loss. Nicole Natter (1-5) recorded the win for IUPUI. Natter worked the first 4.1 innings, while Samantha Bumbaugh allowed one hit, struck out three over the final 2.2 innings.