LAS VEGAS, Nev. – North Dakota State softball opened up the UNLV Red & Black Classic with a pair of losses, falling to LMU 13-6 in eight innings and host UNLV 7-2 at Eller Media Stadium.
 
In game one, the Bison came from behind to force extra innings, rallying to score four in the bottom of the seventh. Zoe King started the inning with a solo home run. After a fielding error cut the deficit to two, Star Cortez hit a two-RBI single with two out to tie the game.
 
However, the Bison would be unable to get the winning run across in the seventh and LMU responded with an eight-run inning in the top of the eighth to take the victory.
 
Cortez, King and Morgan Zimmerman each finished with two hits in game one. Bella Dean also had a hit and two walks. Piper Reed picked up the loss in relief. Addie Bowers started and allowed just one run in 3.1 innings.
 
In game two, UNLV took the lead with a grand slam in the third inning and then added three more runs in the fourth to go up 7-0.
 
Zimmerman would be a part of both NDSU runs, scoring from second on a Taylinn Warren single in the fifth. In the next inning, Zimmerman hit her first career home run, a solo shot over the fence in left.
 
Warren finished with three hits in game two. Cortez and Zimmermann had two hits again in game two. Madison Wihlm picked up the loss, allowing all seven runs. Reed tossed three scoreless innings in relief.
 
The Bison will be back in action on Saturday, taking on Utah Tech at 2 p.m. CT before a rematch with UNLV scheduled for 8 p.m. CT.