DELAND, Fla. – North Dakota State softball fell to host Stetson University 1-0 Thursday night in the opener of the Hatter Classic at Patricia Wilson Field.
In a pitcher's duel that allowed a combined 10 total hits, host Stetson (4-1) scored the only run of the game on a solo shot to straightaway center field by Gabby David with one out in the bottom of the fifth.
The Bison (4-3) nearly had the answer in the top of the sixth, as
Bella Dean had a fly ball caught at the top of the wall in left center.
Jasmyn Yessian also had a deep fly ball caught on the warning track for the final out of the game.
Dean and
Taylinn Warren each had doubles in the game, while
Amai Hanta had a single and
Zoe King reached on a walk. Dean also reached on a fielding error, the only other base runner for the Bison in the contest.
Jocelyn McClary picked up the loss, allowing the one run in 5.2 innings of work. McClary's scoreless inning streak to start her collegiate career ended 19.0 innings, extending her NDSU record.
Addie Bowers recorded the final out with a strikeout in a short relief appearance.
NDSU will return to action on Friday, playing a pair of games beginning with a contest against Maine at 12 p.m. CT. The Bison will also play Stetson for a second time, taking on the Hatters at 5 p.m. CT, with both games at Patricia Wilson Field.
