PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – The North Dakota State softball team picked up a 5-3 win over Southern Illinois before falling to No. 8/11 Tennessee on Friday at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge at Nancy Almaraz Field.
The Bison (3-6) jumped out to an early lead against Southern Illinois (5-2) in the top of the first, scoring three runs to take a lead it never relinquished. Leadoff
Emilee Buringa reached second on an error in left field and then scored in the next at bat, as
Carley Goetschius doubled to straightaway center.
Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage then stepped up and hit an RBI single to left, bringing around Goetschius. Aguilar-Beaucage would advance to third on a wild pitch and score in the next at bat, as
Reanna Rudd hit an RBI groundout to the right side.
Pitcher
Lainey Lyle would go to work, tossing four scoreless innings before the Bison extended their lead in the fifth. With runners on second and third,
Bella Dean would make it 4-0 as she scored on a wild pitch. However, the Bison would leave the bases loaded in the inning.
The Salukis would make a rally in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs on five hits, but
Paige Vargas would come in and get the Bison out of a jam with the lead intact, stranding two SIU baserunners.
The Bison would add an insurance run in the seventh, as pinch runner
Riley Leadstrom would score on an RBI single from Goetschius. Vargas would add two more strikeouts and forced a ground out in the bottom of the seventh to pick up a save and seal the victory.
Vargas finished with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Lyle picked up the win after 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
In game two, the Bison would be just the second team to hold Tennessee scoreless in the opening two innings this season, but the Vols would break through with two home runs in the third to go up 3-0.
Ava Chavarria would get a hit in the third and
Bella Dean would add a pinch hit single in the sixth, but they were the only Bison to reach base in the game.
Tennessee would add four more runs in the fifth inning before a final run in the sixth to clinch an 8-0 victory.
Lyle with pick up the loss, allowing two runs on five hits in two innings of work. Lyle and
Savy Williams would each get a strikeout.
North Dakota State will be back in action on Saturday, wrapping up the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge with a matchup against Cal State Fullerton. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Nancy Almaraz Field.
