BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – North Dakota State softball opened up the day with an 11-1 win in five innings over Lock Haven, but fell on a walk-off home run in a 7-6 loss to Lafayette in game two Saturday at Brinkley Stadium.
 
The Bison offense came alive in the second inning of game one, as NDSU scored nine runs to take a commanding lead. It is the most runs for NDSU in an innings since February 11, 2022 when the Bison scored 11 in the sixth at UC Santa Barbara.
 
Morgan Zimmerman started off and ended the scoring in the inning with two-run base hits, a single first before a double later. Ella Claus also had an RBI single and Bella Dean recorded an RBI groundout before Zoe King hit her second career home run in the inning.
 
The Bison would add two more runs in the third on a double from Dean and a sacrifice fly from King to extend the lead to 11-0. All nine batters in the lineup finished with at least one hit. Star Cortez, Taylinn Warren, Claus and Zimmerman recorded multi-hit games.
 
Addie Bowers was dominant in the circle into the fifth inning when her no-hit bid was broken up with one out. Following an error, the Chargers capitalized to score their only run of the game.
 
In game two, Lafayette capitalized on an error to score two runs and take the lead in the bottom of the first. They extended their lead to three in the second inning after loading the bases, but NDSU got out of the jam without further damage.
 
Amai Hanta jump started the Bison offense in the third with her second career home run. Two batters later, Dean doubled home Cortez to cut the deficit to one. In the fifth inning, the Bison loaded the bases and Mya Boos put NDSU in front with her second home run of the season and first career grand slam.
 
However, Lafayette would capitalize on an error in the sixth inning to score a run and then hit a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to come from behind and hand NDSU a 7-6 loss.
 
Hanta reached base safely in all four trips to the plate in game two, going 2-for-2 with a home run, walk and a hit by pitch. Cortez was 2-for-3 with a walk. Piper Reed tossed four innings in a no decision, allowing two earned runs on six hits. Madison Wihlm picked up the loss, allowing three earned in 2.2 innings with three strikeouts.
 
The Bison will return to action on Sunday, taking on Lafayette again to wrap up the weekend at Spring in The Springs. First pitch is set for 8 a.m. CT from Brinkley Stadium.