FARGO, N.D.--The University of North Dakota struck for three runs in the first two innings and defeated North Dakota State 4-1 in a non-league softball game played before 167 spectators on a sunny Wednesday, April 13, at the Ellig Sports Complex. UND snapped a 29-game losing streak to Bison dating back to 1997.

NDSU (24-13, 6-0 Summit League) is scheduled to play at South Dakota State (14-26, 2-4 SL) in a three-game Summit League series Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, in Brookings.

UND and North Dakota State met for the first time since 2004. The Fighting Hawks (11-25) scored twice in the first inning on Megan Keegan's sacrifice fly to foul territory in left field. Emily Bell blooped a double into shallow left field to score Kaylin VanDomelen with two outs.

North Dakota extended the lead to 3-0 in the top of the second inning. Taylor Hansen was hit by pitch with the bases loaded to push across Autumn Cervantez.

UND chased Bison starter Jacquelyn Sertic out of the game in the third, but reliever Kaitlyn "KK" Leddy worked out a bases loaded situation to end the threat.

Bell hit a solo home run to left field to close out the scoring for UND. Bell and VanDomelen each had two hits to pace the Fighting Hawks.

North Dakota State averted being shutout for the second time this season when Maritza Lopez-Portillo drilled a line drive to right center. It was the fifth home run of the season for Lopez-Portillo. Logan Moreland and Katie Shoultz both had two hits for the Bison. Moreland also stole three bases and stands 23-of-23 on the season.

VanDomelen (10-13) scattered six hits and kept the Bison off-stride over seven innings to record the win. She received help from the defense from Cervantez at second, along with a key unassisted double play from Bell with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third.

Sertic (17-6) and Leddy pitched for NDSU with Sertic picking up the loss. Leddy struck out three, walked three and allowed only two hits over the final five innings.