OMAHA, Neb. – North Dakota State softball fell to Omaha 8-0 Friday afternoon in the series and Summit League opener at Connie Claussen Field.
 
The hosts capitalized on early Bison errors to score two in the first and four more in the second and the Bison were unable to recover. Omaha would add two more runs in the third to help trigger the run-rule victory for the Mavs.
 
The Bison were held to just two hits in the contest, with a single from Amai Hanta in the second and another single from Bella Dean in the fourth. Hanta also had a stolen base.
 
NDSU did strand five baserunners in the game, including three in scoring position. The Bison stranded two in the second after getting runners to second and third with no outs. The Bison also got two runners on in the fifth with just one out.
 
Madison Wihlm picked up the loss, allowing six runs, four earned in 1.2 innings of work. Piper Reed tossed the final 2.1 innings for NDSU, allowing two runs.
 
The Bison will return to action on Saturday with game two of the series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. from Connie Claussen Field.