Hawks responsive in DH split with Omaha

PHOTO/NICK FOREMAN

OMAHA, Neb. (UND ATHLETICS)– North Dakota softball punched back in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader with preseason favorite Omaha from Connie Claussen Field. The Hawks were shutout in a run-rule decision in the series opener, but bounced back with a 14-1 win over the Mavericks as both contests were decided in five innings. The statement win moves UND back to .500 on the season at 17-17 and pushes the Hawks’ Summit League record to 2-3. Omaha moves to 21-9 and is even with North Dakota in the league standings.

UND produced a dozen hits in the win with Hailey Bethune, Taya Hopfauf, Makenna Alexander, and Callie Honig each accounting for a pair of base knocks. All four players recorded an extra base hit with Honig delivering a three-run blast, as part of a four-RBI game, out to center field in the fifth for the victory’s exclamation point.

North Dakota showcased a short memory following the game one defeat and struck for a pair of runs in the second as Bethune and Brooklyn Houserecorded run-scoring base knocks to push the Hawks out front 2-0 through two innings. UND pushed across four runs in the third inning on just two hits, while an UNO fielding error, two walks, two hit-by-pitch and a pair of fielder’s choices helped pad the Hawks’ advantage at 6-0.

Four more runs crossed for the visitors in the fourth inning as Camryn Lasota and Bethune notched RBI singles, while Honig walked in a run and House delivered a sacrifice fly to stake the Hawks to a 10-0 lead.

That was more than enough support for UND starter Makaela Carr who tossed a complete game with eight strikeouts while scattering five UNO hits, two of which came in the final inning.

In the series opener, the Mavericks cruised to a 20-0 win in five innings behind a dozen hits, seven for extra bases including four home runs, and a 12-run third inning. Two UNO arms did not allow a UND baserunner.

The Hawks close out the series on Sunday with a noon first pitch in the rubber match. Live coverage links for the series are available at www.FightingHawks.com.

For more information on North Dakota softball, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDsoftball.

Postgame Notes

• UND matched its single-game high this season in RBI with 12
• The 14 runs are the most allowed by Omaha this season
• The Hawks scored 10+ runs in a game for the fifth time this season
• UND recorded 10+ hits for the tenth time this season and registered a dozen for the fourth time this campaign
• The Hawks drew six walks in the win for the fourth time this season in addition to being hit-by-pitch three times which matches the single game high this season for UND
• Honig’s four runs scored are the most by a Hawk in a game this season
• Carr went the distance for the fourth time this season to earn her seventh win
• She recorded her fourth game this season with seven or more strikeouts as she finished with eight