FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State softball is set to make a trip to Grand Forks for the first time in seven years, as the Bison take on North Dakota in a three-game Summit League Series on Saturday and Sunday. The Bison and Fighting Hawks are set for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday at Apollo Park, before a 1 p.m. series finale on Sunday.
 
Game Coverage
Saturday's doubleheader between NDSU and UND will be televised on MidCo Sports. The doubleheader will also be streamed live on The Summit League Network. A subscription to the Summit League Network will be needed to view the games. All three games will also include live statistics Links to the streams and stats will be available on the softball schedule page on gobison.com.
 
The Series
North Dakota State holds an 82-38-1 record all time against North Dakota, including a 10-6 record in the Division I era. Prior to NDSU's move to Division I, the Bison had won 30-straight games, but the teams did not play from 2005-2015. Last season, the Bison took the first two games in the series at home before UND avoided the seep with a 4-3 win in the finale. The teams have met just once in the Division I era in Grand Forks, with the Bison claiming a 3-1 win on April 11, 2017.
 
Buringa Approaching 150 Consecutive Starts
Senior Emilee Buringa made her 166th start for the Bison last weekend and continues her run of consecutive games started, up to 148-straight games. Buringa has started every game for the Bison in the '22, '23 and now '24 seasons. Buringa, who has played in 177 career games, would become just the 12th Bison to start 150-consecutive games in NDSU's Division I era.
 
The Young Herd
North Dakota State softball has the fourth youngest team in NCAA Division I this season on average years of experience, averaging 1.000 years per player. The Bison are the youngest of any team on NDSU's schedule. They are youngest in the Summit League with St. Thomas next at 1.458, while the league average is 1.53. Wofford (.543), Wagner (.737), Green Bay (.913) and Coppin State (1.038) are the other teams in the top five youngest programs.
 
NDSU has 14 underclassmen (8 freshman, 6 sophomores), which are contributing to 60 percent of starts in the batting lineup, as well as 60 percent of runs scored and 63 percent of RBIs. The group has contributed to 58 percent of NDSU hits, and 69 percent of the Bison's extra-base hits. In the circle, the underclassmen have contributed to 71 percent of innings pitched and 72 percent of strikeouts.
 
Home Run Numbers Up from '23
The Bison have hit 25 home runs this season. Nine different Bison have at least one home run, with six Bison hitting multiple home runs this season. Last season, the Bison hit a total of 29 home runs, 13 in non-conference and 16 in league play. NDSU finished non-conference play with 20 home runs and have five in league play with three league series remaining.
 
Buringa Swiping Bags
Senior Emilee Buringa has 12 stolen bases so far this season, going 12-for-13 overall. Buringa's 12 stolen bases not only leads the Bison this season, but is also a career best. Her previous high was eight stolen bases as a sophomore. She swiped her 30th career bag in the series against St. Thomas.
 
Dean Toward the Top of the League
With her seventh home run of the season and first in league action in the St. Thomas series, Bella Dean sits near the top of the Summit League in total home runs on the year in a tie for third. Last season, Dean led the league with nine home runs as a freshman, including seven in league play.
 
Speedy Bison
North Dakota State has been aggressive on the base paths this season, stealing 39 bags after just 37 last season. NDSU's 39 stolen bases leads in the Summit League, while 39-for-48 (.813) overall is up considerably from a 37-for-53 (.698) campaign last year.
 
Buringa, Aguilar-Beaucage Match NDSU Division I Era Record In Same Game
Emilee Buringa and Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage each went 4-for-4 with four runs scored in game two of the series with St. Thomas. The duo recorded a hit and run scored in each inning that NDSU's offense came to the plate. It is tied for the most runs scored in the Division I era and the 11th and 12th times it has been done. Prior to the day, the most recent occurrence was by Cameron Maycut at UC Santa Barbara on February 11, 2022.
 
Road Warriors
North Dakota State softball wrapped up a 35-game road swing to begin the season with the home opener against St. Thomas at the end of March. The Bison traveled to six different tournaments/invitationals in four different states, along with three midweek non-conference games. The non-conference swing included two 10+ day trips to North Carolina and California. Last year, after moving the first home series due to snow, the Bison played 42 games away from home before their first pitch at Tharaldson Park on April 29.