BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – North Dakota State softball fell to Lafayette College 8-6 Sunday morning in the Bison finale at the Spring in The Springs hosted by Gardner-Webb at Brinkley Stadium.
 
Lafayette jumped out to an early lead in the game, starting with a leadoff home run to fuel a three-run first inning. Lafayette would extend the lead to four runs early in the second and then loaded the bases, but NDSU was able to get out of the inning without further damage.
 
The Bison then responded with a four-run bottom of the second to tie the game, beginning with a two-RBI single from Morgan Zimmerman to cut the deficit in half. Zimmerman then stole second and on a throwing error, Taylinn Warren scored from third. Zimmerman then came around to score on a single from Amai Hanta.
 
Lafayette answered immediately with its own four-run inning, beginning with another solo home run, followed by a two-RBI double and an RBI single. NDSU answered by loading the bases with no outs in the bottom half of the inning, but were unable to score and cut into the deficit.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Star Cortez hit an RBI single and Bella Dean added a sacrifice fly RBI to cut the deficit to 8-6. NDSU would get two runners on in the seventh, but were unable to get the baserunners across.
 
Amai Hanta and Jessica Delatorre led the Bison offensively with two hits each. Delatorre also had one of six Bison walks. Piper Reed picked up the loss in relief, allowing four runs in 2.1 innings of work. Madison Wihlm had four strikeouts in 3.2 scoreless innings of relief.
 
NDSU will return to action on Friday, as the Bison begin a two-week west coast trip at the UNLV Red & Black Classic in Las Vegas. NDSU will open up with Loyola Marymount at 2 p.m. CT and host UNLV at 8 p.m. CT.