PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – The North Dakota State softball team fell to Brigham Young 10-1 Saturday afternoon on day two of the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge at Nancy Almaraz Field.
 
The Bison (1-1) fell behind early, as the Cougars (2-2) scored a run with an RBI single in the bottom of the first to take an early lead.
 
North Dakota State answered with its own run in the top of the second to tie the game. Chloe Woldruff had a one out single before Zoe King put two Bison on the bases with a walk. Bella Dean loaded the bases with a single to center in her first plate appearance as a Bison. Skylar Padgett tied the game with an RBI single through the left side, scoring Woldruff, but King was thrown out at home looking to give the Bison the lead.
 
BYU answered right back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring six runs. A one out bases loaded walk started the scoring for the Cougars, who then added a sacrifice fly and three straight RBI singles, with the final one bringing two runs across.
 
The Cougars would add two more runs in the third and then an unearned run in the fourth off of an error from the Bison.
 
NDSU would get two runners on in the fifth, as Ava Chavarria was hit by a pitch and then Ella Claus recorded her first hit as a Bison, but NDSU stranded the two, triggering the run-rule loss.
 
Lainey Lyle picked up the loss, allowing seven runs in 1.2 innings. Lyle gave up six hits and four walks. Savy Williams tossed 1.1 innings in relief, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. Piper Reed allowed one unearned run in the final inning, giving up one hit and recording one strikeout.
 
The Bison will return to action on Sunday, taking on No. 24/22 Oregon and Maryland. First pitch against the Ducks is slated for 8:30 a.m., while the game against Maryland is set for a 1:30 p.m. start.