The Sioux Falls softball team split a doubleheader with Minot State Friday afternoon at U-Mary Field in Bismarck, N.D. The series was moved from Minot due to unplayable conditions at the Beavers' home field.
The Beavers (21-2, 3-1) took the first game 5-1 while USF (7-11, 2-2) took game two 5-4 to snap MSU's 18-game winning streak.
Minot State 5 – USF 1
MSU senior ace Mandy Greenberg (11-0) registered 10 strikeouts and limited the Cougars to two hits through the first six innings. Katie Larson's seven-inning RBI single accounted for the Cougars' lone run.
Bailey Bouman (3-4) allowed five runs on eight hits with two walks and a pair of wild pitches. Freshman Michelle Ritland tossed a scoreless seventh inning.
USF 5 – Minot State 4
Trailing 4-0 in the top of the sixth inning, the Cougars mounted a comeback on the strength of Samantha Kane's 3-run triple. Kellen Dewey and Katie Larson each tapped left field singles and Erin Scott reached base on an infield error to load the bases for Kane. The freshman laced a bases-clearing triple and would touch home on Shelby Thompson RBI base knock down the right field line to tie the game at 4-4.
The score remained unchanged for six innings until the heroics of pinch hitter Shannon Daly broke the stalemate in the top of the 12th inning. The rookie led off the frame with a solo homer that gave USF it's first lead of the day at 5-4. Cougar starting pitcher Amanda Walters sent the Beavers down in order and fired a KS to end the game.
Walters (3-6) was outstanding in the circle for USF and got the complete-game win, allowing four runs on 15 hits with five walks and seven strikeouts in 12 innings of work. Greenberg (11-1) relieved Tiffany Friesen in the ninth and was tagged with her first loss of the season.
The Cougars tallied seven hits in the game, but none posted a multi-hit effort. Kane led the offensive effort with a 1-for-5, three RBI game. Thompson had an RBI base hit and Daly had the game-winner with her first career home run.
USF will continue NSIC action in Bismarck on Saturday, with two games against host University of Mary.
