April 27, 2013

Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alivia Nikolaus drove in a run, while Whitney Weston and Erin Galloway recorded hits, as the Oakland softball team (6-19-1, 1-11), dropped the opening game of a Summit League series to North Dakota State (26-13, 13-0), 4-1, on Saturday at South Campus Field on the campus of the University of St. Thomas.

"We played well today against NDSU who is leading the conference and undefeated in conference play," said head coach Connie Miner. "We hit the ball well against the top pitcher in the conference and made good adjustments at the plate. Bailee threw well today but missed two pitches and didn't get away with it. I am looking forward to playing them again tomorrow because if we get our strong pitching and a few balls to fall for us tomorrow, we get the wins."

The Bison got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning as Amanda Grable hit a two-run home run to lead 2-0. NDSU would score one run in both the third and fourth innings as Jenina Ortega hit an RBI-triple and Sam Peterson hit a solo home run to go up 4-0.

Oakland would get on the board in the top of the sixth inning as Weston led off the inning with a triple to right-center field and Nikolaus would drive her in with an infield single.

Bailee Braunreuther (2-2) suffered the loss throwing 4.0 innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on five hits and struck out three batters. North Dakota State's Whitney Johnson (19-6) earned the win throwing a complete game, giving up one earned run on three hits and struck out six batters.

The second game of the doubleheader was suspended due to darkness. These two teams will finish their three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 11:30 a.m. ET at South Campus Field.

#FightOakland