FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State softball completed a series sweep of St. Thomas on Saturday with 13-4 and 12-9 victories in Summit League play at Tharaldson Park.
The Bison offense was dominant in game one, scoring at least two runs in all four innings at the plate, led by
Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage and
Emilee Buringa going 4-for-4 with four runs scored at the plate. Aguilar-Beaucage also had a three-run home run, her fifth of the season, while all nine Bison reached base safely in the game.
Bella Dean,
Reanna Rudd,
Chloe Woldruff and
Rylee Henderson all recorded two hit games. Dean hit her first career triple and also had a walk as she finished 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored.
In the circle,
Kaitlyn Dunford (5-3) picked up the win in relief, going 3.2 innings with just one run allowed on four hits.
Savy Williams recorded the first four outs, allowing three runs on four hits.
In game two, the Bison continued to be strong at the plate in the first two innings, scoring seven in the first and five in the second to take a 12-1 lead.
Bella Dean and
Ella Claus each hit home runs in the inning. Dean gave the Bison with her team-leading seventh home run on a two-run shot. Claus then capped the scoring in the first with a three-run homer, her third of the year.
In the second inning, Rudd recorded her first career triple, bringing in two runs on the play before scoring on a throwing error that hit Rudd sliding into third. Claus then added a two-RBI single for her fifth RBI of the game, a new career high.
The Tommies would answer back with seven runs in the third and added a run in the fourth, but
Savy Williams (4-5) entered the game in relief and tossed 3.2 scoreless innings to pick up the win, preserving the Bison three-run lead. Williams finished with just one hit allowed and no walks, recording a pair of strikeouts.
NDSU will return to non-conference play next weekend, as the Bison travel to Las Vegas, Nevada to take on UNLV in a three-game series on April 6-7. First pitch in the doubleheader on April 6 is set for 4 p.m. CT. The final game is set for a 2 p.m. CT start on April 7.
