The Cougars came up empty handed in their doubleheader versus Northern State on Friday as the Wolves took the games 3-0 and 2-1 in Aberdeen. The Cougars recorded 15 hits in the two games as they went 0.267 at the plate, but they were unable to convert those hits into runs as they scored just one run on the day.
Northern State 3, USF 0
The Cougars looked to get on the board in the first inning by putting runners on second and third with two outs. However, NSU turned away USF as Amanda Walters was struck out looking.
Northern State got on the board in the second inning when an error by Erin Scott made room for Ashley Clapp to cross the plate.
The Cougars looked to even things up as Erin Scott advanced to third base with two outs, but the Wolves pitching remained strong as they struck Bailey Bouman out to end the inning.
The Wolves extended their lead to three runs in the third inning when Lindsey Hubler hit a two-run shot to left centerfield.
Amanda Walters (17-8) was charged with the loss as she gave up six hits and three earned runs in six innings on the mound. The Sioux Falls native struck out eight NSU batters while holding opposing batters to just 0.250 in the box.
Kami Smesmo (10-14) claimed the win for Northern State as she gave up seven hits and no earned runs while striking out eight Cougar batters.
Erin Scott ended the game going a perfect 3-of-3 at the plate.
USF scored zero runs on seven hits with two errors committed.
Northern State 2, USF 1
The Wolves took the lead first again in the second game of the day when a double to centerfield by Macey Engel brought in one-run.
In the fourth inning, Rachel Albright hit a solo shot to right centerfield that put NSU up by two runs.
With one out and Andrea Sheppard Kauwalu on third base, the Cougars looked to close the gap, but a Betsy Thomas fly out coupled with a Bailey Bouman ground out sent USF away with no runs.
USF tried to mount a comeback in the seventh inning as they came within one run when an Amanda Walters single to rightfield brought in Erin Scott and pushed Bailey Bouman to third base with two outs. However, the Cougars were unable to convert as Shae Hoskins fouled out to the catcher in the final play of the game.
Bailey Bouman (10-6) was credited with the loss as she gave up seven hits and two earned runs in six innings on the mound.
Missy Elkins picked up the victory as she gave up six hits and no earned runs in her 5.2 innings on the mound. Kami Smesmo came on in relief in the sixth inning and gave up two hits and one earned run while notching her second save of the season.
Kellen Dewey ended the second game of the day recording hits in each of her three at bats.
The Cougars scored their one run on eight hits while committing zero errors.
USF will wrap up the regular season tomorrow when they face MSU Moorhead in Moorhead, Minn. with first pitch of the doubleheader slated for 1 p.m.
