WILMINGTON, N.C. – North Dakota State softball fell to Furman University 4-1 Friday afternoon in the season opener, hosted by the UNC Wilmington at Boseman Field.
 
The Bison jumped out to a lead in the second inning, as Bella Dean came around to score from second on a Chloe Woldruff RBI single through the right side. Dean reached second in the previous at bat with a one-out double to left center.
 
However, the Bison would be held scoreless the rest of the way, while Furman slowly added runs in the middle innings. After NDSU stranded two in scoring position in the third, Furman tied the game with an RBI groundout in the bottom half.
 
Furman would then capitalize on a passed ball in the fourth to score an unearned run and take the lead. Furman would then add two more in the fourth, with another coming unearned, scoring on a throwing error.
 
Zoe King and Emilee Buringa would record the only other hits for the Bison offensively. Buringa, Reanna Rudd and Taylinn Warren would each reach with a walk. Defensively, Savy Williams picked up the loss, allowing two runs, one earned in four innings. Piper Reed tossed one inning, allowing a run, while Addie Bowers tossed the final inning, allowing an unearned run.
 
The Bison will return to action on Saturday with two games, beginning with an 8:30 a.m. CT start in a first-ever match up against Queens. NDSU will then face Northern Kentucky in a game set for a 1:30 p.m. CT first pitch.