ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The North Dakota Softball team started their third tournament of the season Sunday, after having their scheduled start on Friday pushed back—facing off with Green Bay twice. Both games ended in a final score of 6-5 in favor of the Phoenix. Both games featured rallies in the bottom of the seventh—in game one Green Bay rallied to win 6-5 after UND led 5-4 going into the bottom of the frame, and in game two the Hawks were down 6-0 and made it a 6-5 game before the comeback came up just short.

In game one, Kelly Greene (1-1) got the win for Green Bay while Jackie Albrecht (0-4) took the loss. In game two Brittany Baceck (5-2) got the win while Camryn Lasota (0-4) took the loss.

Game one was a back-and-forth game with high drama. UND had two runners on with one out in the top of the first but was unable to turn them into runs. Green Bay got two in the bottom of the frame but UND got one back in the bottom of the frame with a single through the right side off the bat of Taya Hopfauf, which brought Isabella Haslett in to score after she led off the inning with a double.

UND took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Madison Pederson got a two out single and then came in to score on a double from Cassie Castaneda. Haslett followed with a single that brought Castaneda in to score to give the Hawks the lead at 3-2. Green Bay retook the lead in the bottom of the frame but in the top of the sixth Katie Joten hit a sac fly to bring Hopfauf in after Hopfauf had led off the inning with a walk. In the top of the seventh Haslett led off with a double and then moved to third on a groundout then came in to score off a single from Hopfauf to make it 5-4 UND. Green Bay won the game off a walk-off two run homer in the bottom of the seventh.

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In game two, the Hawks got runners on the basepaths each of the first three innings but were unable to get on the board as the Phoenix build a 6-0 lead. Going into the bottom of the seventh, the stage was set for an incredible rally, which came close to completion.

Castaneda led off with a solo shot to left to get UND on the board. Haslett followed with a single, Baylee Howley walked, then Hopfauf singled to load the bases. After two outs, Madi Moore reached on an error which brought Haslett in to score and make it 6-2. Joten was up next, and walked to bring Howley in and make it 6-3. Pederson followed with a single through the left side which brought two runners in to score and make it 6-5. But a flyout ended the game and the Hawks rally one short.  

Key Points

·         Castaneda hit her first home run of the season in game two.

·         Pederson had her first multiple-RBI game since April 16 of last season at South Dakota.

·         Hopfauf had three hits on the day, and now has four hits on the season.

·         In each game, each of the five runs were scored by five different players.

Scoring Summary

Game One

B1 | Saloun RBI single (0-1)

B1 | Heckenlaible RBI double (0-2)

T2 | Hopfauf RBI single (1-2)

T5 | Castaneda RBI double (2-2)

T5 | Haslett RBI single (3-2)

B5 | Justman two run home run (3-4)

T6 | Joten sac fly (4-4)

T7 | Hopfauf RBI single (5-4)

B7 | Saloun RBI double (5-6)

Game Two

T2 | McKay RBI single (0-1)

T3 | Justman scored on fielder's choice (0-2)

T4 | Saloun RBI single (0-4)

T7 | Saloun RBI double (0-5)

T7 | Heckenlaible sac fly (0-6)

B7 | Castaneda home run (1-6)

B7 | Haslett scored on error (2-6)

B7 | Howley scored on based loaded walk (3-6)

B7 | Pederson RBI single (5-6)

The Hawks will be back in action as they take on hosts Lindenwood Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader, the first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.