ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls softball team was held in check offensively today, falling twice to St. Cloud State in an NSIC doubleheader at the Husky Dome. The Cougars dropped game one, 1-0, before falling 6-1 in game two.
With the losses, Sioux Falls moves to 22-21 on the season, while St. Cloud State improves to 31-11.
Game One: St. Cloud State 1, Sioux Falls 0
Game one featured a classic pitcher's duel between Maddi Duncan and St. Cloud State's Jenna Porter, with both teams struggling to generate offense throughout.
Duncan was sharp in the circle, allowing just four hits and one run across six innings while striking out four. The lone run came in the fourth inning, when St. Cloud State used a leadoff double and a bunt to push across the game's only score.
Sioux Falls threatened minimally, drawing four walks but unable to record a hit in the contest. The Cougars' best opportunity came in the third inning when a pair of baserunners reached, but Porter worked out of the jam to preserve the scoreless tie.
From there, both pitchers settled in, with St. Cloud State holding on for the 1-0 win behind the no-hit performance.
Game Two: St. Cloud State 6, Sioux Falls 1
St. Cloud State carried momentum into game two, striking early with a four-run first inning to seize control.
The Huskies used a pair of two-run doubles to jump out to the early lead, putting Sioux Falls in a quick deficit. The Cougars responded in the second inning when Sandra Ribich delivered a triple to drive in a run and cut the margin to 4-1.
However, that would be the lone offensive highlight for Sioux Falls, as St. Cloud State's pitching staff limited the Cougars to just three hits in the game.
The Huskies added insurance runs in the fourth and sixth innings, while Sioux Falls was unable to string together additional scoring opportunities down the stretch.
Key Coo
Up Next
Sioux Falls will look to bounce back as it continues NSIC play next weekend at Wayne State on Friday before hosting Augustana on Sunday for Alumni Day along with their annual Mental Health Awareness Day.
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