MOORHEAD, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls softball team opened Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with a split against Minnesota Crookston today at Scheels Field. The Cougars erupted for a 9–1 win in the opener before falling 3–0 in game two.
Sioux Falls moves to 13-14 overall and 1-1 in NSIC play, using a dominant offensive inning and strong pitching in game one before being held off the scoreboard despite multiple scoring chances in game two.
Game One: Sioux Falls 9, Minnesota Crookston 1
After a quiet first inning, the Cougars struck first in the second. Andie Suhai worked a leadoff walk, advanced on a wild pitch and passed ball, and eventually came home on a Morgan Linstad rundown to give Sioux Falls a 1–0 lead.
The game broke open in the third inning as Sioux Falls sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on four hits and a string of patient at-bats.
Sandra Ribich jump started the rally with an RBI double to score Meghan Jochimsen before the Cougars loaded the bases. Walks from Suhai, Brianna DeLorenzo, and Morgan Linstad forced in runs, while Addison Heule added another RBI with a bases-loaded walk.
Jochimsen capped the inning with a two-run single down the left field line, and later stole second as Heule raced home to push the lead to 8–0.
Minnesota Crookston scratched across a run in the fifth, but Sioux Falls answered in the seventh. Kyra Knudtson singled to start the inning and later scored on an RBI single from Linstad to extend the lead to 9–1.
Maddi Duncan controlled the game in the circle, earning the complete-game victory with a career high 15 strikeouts while limiting the Golden Eagles to three hits and one run. She worked around traffic throughout the game and kept Crookston off balance to secure the win.
The Cougars totaled 10 hits in the game, with Jochimsen, Ribich, and Linstad all delivering key RBI performances.
Game Two: Minnesota Crookston 3, Sioux Falls 0
Game two turned into a tight, low-scoring contest where early runs proved to be the difference.
Minnesota Crookston struck first in the opening inning with back-to-back RBI hits, taking a 2–0 lead before Sioux Falls could settle in.
The Cougars had opportunities to respond throughout the game. In the third inning, Sioux Falls put runners on second and third with one out but was unable to push a run across. Another chance came in the fifth when Jochimsen reached third, but again the Cougars were unable to capitalize.
Minnesota Crookston added an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI single to extend the lead to 3–0.
Sioux Falls finished with four hits in the contest, with Charlie Pryor, Ribich, Jochimsen, and Suhai each recording a hit. Despite putting multiple runners in scoring position, the Cougars were unable to deliver the timely hit.
Up Next
Sioux Falls continues NSIC play tomorrow as they take on MSU Moorhead at 2pm with game two to follow at 4pm before returning home for a 10 game homestand.
Stay Connected
For all things Sioux Falls Softball, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Be the first to know what's going on inside USF Athletics by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter!
