FARGO, N.D.--Whitney Johnson struck out 23 over two complete game wins and Cristina Borek went 4 for 7 with five RBI to lead North Dakota State to 8-0 and 10-3 victories over UMKC in a Summit League softball doubleheader played on a cold and windy Sunday, May 2, at the Ellig Sports Complex.

With the two wins, North Dakota State (29-22, 13-7) clinched a berth in the Summit League tournament May 14-15 in Fargo. The Bison honored four seniors -- Maryssa McKenzie, Taylor Lynn, Laurel Pipkin and Melissa Chmielewski -- in a postgame ceremony. NDSU closes out the regular season at South Dakota State (19-28, 10-8 Summit) on May 7-8.

Johnson, who improved to 22-16, flirted with a no-hitter in game one and finished with her eighth shutout of the season. She worked out of trouble in the first inning after hitting the first batter Kaelene Curry, who advanced to second on an error.

Johnson struck out the last two batters in the first inning to start of string of six straight Ks. She struck out 11 in the first game and a dozen in the second to give her 11 double-figure strikeout games this season.

Offensive support came early as Nicole Rivera and Pipkin each had RBI singles to put the Bison ahead 2-0 in the first.

NDSU extended the lead to 6-0 in the third inning, all four runs coming with two outs. Borek laced a two-run single to center field, while Brea Konz drilled a two-run home run to left field. It was the second homer of the season for Konz.

UMKC (19-26, 9-10 Summit) avoided the no-hit bid in the sixth when Curry led off the frame with a soft single to left. It was Johnson's fifth one-hitter of the season. Deanna Friese (10-12) picked up the loss, striking out seven and walking one.

Chmielewski ended the game with no outs in the bottom of the sixth with a line drive home run to center to score Lynn, who stroked a double to left center. It was Chmielewski's 10th home run of the season. Lynn, Borek and Rivera each went 2 for 3 in the opener.

Striking early in the nightcap, the North Dakota State offense took advantage of four hits and an error to stake a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Pipkin's infield hit chased home one run, while Borek came through with a sharply hit two-RBI single to left field.

The Kangaroos cut the deficit to 3-1 in the top of the fourth when Lindsey Davis belted her first home run of the season to left field.

The Bison answered by sending 10 batters to the plate in the fourth responding with seven runs. Taylor Mortensen lined a two-run double to right center, while Rivera cracked a two-RBI double to left center. Pipkin kept the runners in motion with a two-run single through the right side, while Borek closed out the scoring with a run-scoring single.

Pipkin went 2 for 3 with three RBI and a run scored to lead NDSU's 12-hit attack. Rivera went 3 for 4 with a pair of runs scored and two RBI, while Borek added two hits and three RBI in four at-bats. McKenzie added a pair of singles.

UMKC kept things interesting. Curry's double to right center knocked in one run, while Davis collected her second RBI with a single. Curry led the Kangaroos with a 3 for 4 effort at the plate, while Davis added a pair of hits.

Anna Sokolik (9-8) and Emily Ott worked on the mound for UMKC with Sokolik recording the loss.