Sioux Falls, SD – The University of Sioux Falls softball team split a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon with a Game 1 loss by a score of 4-0 to the Wolves and a Game 2 victory over Northern State by a score of 10-6.
 
Game 1: USF 0, NSU 4
 
The Cougars fell to Northern State by a score of 4-0 at Sherman Park on Sunday. 
 
The Wolves struck first in the top of the 1^st inning brining across the first run of the game. The game stayed 1-0 for Northern State until the third inning when NSU's Barrientas singled on a ball to right field, scoring two runs and extending the lead for NSU by a score of 3-0.
 
NSU brought across the 4^th run of the game on a ground out to Megan Lawson at 2^nd base, extending their lead and the game finishing with a final score of 4-0. Meghan Lawson picked up the win for the Wolves pitching a complete game shutout surrendering six hits, zero runs, walking three USF hitters and striking out seven on the day.
 
The Cougars finished with six hits on the day led by senior Kylie Madrid with three hits and Reese Holzhueter, Kennedy Thomas, and Taryn Wagner each having a hit apiece in the contest.
 
From the circle, Hanna Cress took the loss, throwing a complete game and surrendering 10 hits, four runs, walking one NSU hitter, and striking out three hitters  
 
Game 2: USF 10, NSU 6
 
USF came away with a Game 2 victory by a score of 10-6, getting the series split with Northern State on Sunday afternoon.
 
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 2^nd inning where Taryn Wagner started off the a single to get the bats rolling. Rylie Jones laid down a bunt, reaching by error and the Cougars capitalized with a Megan Lawson two-RBI double to bring across the first two runs of the game. Emma Barta joined the party as she hit an RBI single, scoring Lawson to extend the Cougars lead to 3-0 through two innings.
 
In the bottom of the 3^rd, hot hitting senior Kylie Madrid started the inning with a hard hit single to center field. Kennedy Thomas continued to swing the stick well as she had a hard hit single to shortstop, followed by a Taryn Wagner bunt single to load the bases. Rylie Jones continued the streak as she hit a line drive single to center field, scoring Reese Holzhueter who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning. Megan Lawson grounded into a fielder's choice, bringing across Kennedy Thomas to make it a 5-0 score for the Cougars.
 
Northern State answered with a run in the top half of the 4^th inning but the Cougars quickly answered in the bottom half of the inning. Speedster Kylan Straight reached on a bunt, advancing two bases on an error by the Wolves to make it to third base. Kylie Madrid grounded out, bringing in Kylan Straigh to make it a 6-1 ball game. NSU answered back in the top of the 5^th and 6^th innings to bring the score within 2 to make it a 6-4 content.
 
USF continued to answer the bell as the bottom of the 6^th inning came and Megan Lawson started the inning with a line drive single to right field. Danielle Klenke came in to pinch run, followed by a Jayden Haley walk to put the pressure on the Wolves defense. Emma Spizzirri reached on a bunt brining across Klenke for the Cougars 7^th run on the day. Kylie Madrid continued her tear at the plate with a line drive single to left, scoring Jayden Haley to make it a 8-4 contest for the Cougars. Reese Holzhueter hit an RBI double, scoring Emma Spizzirri. Kennedy Thomas did her part as she hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Kylie Madrid to extend the lead to 10-4 after six innings. Northern State's Richardson hit a two-run home run in the top of the 7^th inning and Hanna Cress came in to finish the game with a final score of 10-4 and a victory for the Cougars.
 
From the circle, Bailee Lampman threw six and 1/3 innings, surrendering six runs, nine hits, walking three, and striking out three NSU hitters. Hanna Cress came in for the final two outs, striking out one Wolves hitter and surrendering zero runs.
 
The Cougars ended with elevens hits on the day, led by Kylie Madrid, Megan Lawson, and Taryn Wagner with two hits apiece. Kylan Straight, Reese Holzhueter, Kennedy Thomas, Rylie Jones, and Emma Barta each got a hit of their own on the day. The Cougars continue to get production from up and down the lineup during the weekend victories at Sherman Park.
 
Up Next

The Cougars are back in action on Tuesday where they'll face cross-town rival Augustana at Sherman Park for a mid-week doubleheader. Keep up with all the news, updates, and highlights on USFCougars.com and the USF Softball social media accounts!