Box Score FARGO, N.D. - Southern Utah claimed a 3-2 win over North Dakota State in the series finale on Saturday, April 24 in front of 86 fans at the Ellig Sports Complex. The Bison fall to 26-21 overall and 11-7 in the Summit League, while Southern Utah is 10-34 overall and 6-15 in the Summit League.
Senior Taylor Lynn almost gave the Bison the win with a long ball to center field in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Southern Utah's Norian James reached over the fence to snag the out.
Southern Utah struck first after Darleen Fernandez hit a two-run homer in the top of the second inning.
The Bison battled back in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2. Junior Maryssa McKenzie got the scoring started with a solo home run, her fourth of the year. Lynn then hit a single to center field and advanced to second on a stolen base. She scored the tying run on a single to left field from junior Elisa Victa.
Southern Utah reclaimed the lead in the fifth inning after Stephanie De Jesus scored on a Brittany Henderson double.
NDSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but pitcher Kristina Brooks forced a pop-up from senior Melissa Chmielewski to end the inning. Brooks pitched two final shutout frames for the Thunderbirds.
For North Dakota State, freshman Whitney Johnson struck out six in a losing effort and is now 20-15 on the season. Sophomore Randi Parks pitched the final inning and a third for the Bison. Southern Utah's Kara Bendt picked up the win and is now 2-7 this year.
The Bison continue action at the Ellig Sports complex with a doubleheader against South Dakota on Tuesday, April 27 beginning at 3 pm.