Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MOORHEAD, MINN.—Ashley Meyer hit a walk off homerun to win game one while Emily Hove and Emily Miller each hit solo HRs in the game two victory as the University of Sioux Falls Softball Team (18-19, 8-8 NSIC) swept Minnesota State Moorhead (11-22, 5-11 NSIC) on Sunday afternoon. The NSIC doubleheader was originally scheduled to be held in Sioux Falls but was moved to Moorhead, Minn., due to unplayable field conditions at Sherman Park.

USF earned walk-off wins in both games of the doubleheader. Meyer hit a solo shot to left center field in game one. Hove scoring the game-winning run on a throwing error in the bottom of the seventh inning in game two.

USF had a solid day from the pitching staff of Kerrigan Hoshaw, Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag, Courtney Mathews and Sydney Nieveen as they held MSU Moorhead to five total runs through two games and a team batting average of .293 (17-for-58) while amassing 10 strikeouts.

Head coach Shannon Pivovar was pleased with the team's effort. "I am incredibly proud of how our team played today. We made some big plays when they were needed and will look to build off of today's performance," said Pivovar.

USF will turn around and face Northern State (14-23, 6-9 NSIC) in Aberdeen on Monday, April 15 in a NSIC doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. The NSIC doubleheader is also a site reversal with the schedule originally planning the game for Sioux Falls.

Game 1: Sioux Falls 3, MSU Moorhead 2
Meyer's walk-off home run coincided with a strong pitching effort from both senior Kerrigan Hoshaw and freshman Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag.
Hoshaw received the start for USF and pitched four innings where she allowed one run on two total hits. The lone run came off of a HR that just cleared the top of the left center field fence. Hoshaw struck out two MSUM batters while not issuing a walk. Freshman Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag received the win for USF and moved to 1-3 on the season. Van Der Zwaag came on in the fifth inning and tossed four innings while allowing a single run on four total hits, walked one and struck out three in her winning effort.

Meyer led the USF offense as she went two for four at the dish with a double and her walk off homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning. She scored once in the contest while also recording an RBI. Shortstop Lindsey Mossman also had two hits, including a single and a double. Mossman also scored one run in the first inning along with Hove and stole one base. Designated hitter Cassie Van Beek recorded two hits in two plate appearances along with one walk and stole two bases.

USF jumped out to an early 2-0 in the first inning behind two hits and two MSUM errors. Hove led off the Cougars and reached on an error. Mossman followed up with a single to left field and both runners advanced to second and third after Francesca Mickelson laid down a sacrifice bunt. Hove scored as the catcher was forced to throw down to first base after a dropped third strike, which Emily Miller made it safely to first base. Mossman stole home after Miller intentionally got in a pickle and gave up an out after Mossman crossed home plate.

MSUM got on the board in the fourth inning when Emma Dummer led off the inning with a solo HR to left field to cut USF's lead to 2-1. The Dragons tied up the game in the top of the sixth inning after Ashley McCance hit a one-out double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. She scored on Dummer's single.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Meyer won the game by crushing a line drive over the left center field fence.

Game two: Sioux Falls 4, MSU Moorhead 3
USF was led by Hove's three hits and solid pitching from junior Courtney Mathews and junior Sydney Nieveen.

Mathews started and worked 5.1 innings while giving up three runs (two earned) on nine hits. Mathews also walked two batters and struck out a pair in the contest.  Nieveen picked up the win to move to 4-2 on the season by throwing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless softball where she allowed two hits, one walk and struck out four batters.  

Hove, who with Meyer now have 19 career home runs for fifth on USF's all-time chart, had two singles and a home run in game two. She also scored three times and drove in one run. Miller had a home run while Meyer and Nieveen each had a base hit. Emmie Uitts, Rachel Klassen and Mickelson each went one for three at the plate with Mickelson also recording an RBI. Mossman also stroked a single and laid down the game-winning bunt in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Miller put USF on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run to center field as USF led, 1-0. USF added a second run on two hits in the bottom of the third inning. Uitts singled to center field and Hove reached on a fielder's choice to set up a RBI double by Mickelson.
MSU Moorhead tied the game in the top of the fourth inning after scoring a pair of runs on one hit and one USF error.

USF regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth after Hove led off the inning with a solo home run to put the Cougars up 3-2 late in the ballgame.
MSUM responded in the top of the sixth with a run of their own after Elizabeth Johnson recorded an infield single to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Jordey McNeilly drove Johnson in with a double down the left field line to tie the game up at 3-3.

Hove led off the seventh inning with a line drive single to center field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mossman laid down a bunt down the third base line, which advanced Hove to third. The MSUM defender then had a throwing error which allowed Hove to score the game-winning run.