KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Northern State started its Florida trip on the right note by winning two games in two different ways.
The NSU women's softball team won a pitchers' duel 1-0 in extra innings over Notre Dame (Ohio) College in the first game on Saturday and the Wolves slugged their way to an 11-1 win over Fayetteville (N.C.) State in the nightcap at the Rebel Spring Games. Northern improved to 4-2 in the young season.
NSU pitcher Kami Smesmo continued her winning ways by pitching eight innings of shutout softball against Notre Dame College. She improved to 3-0 on the season after scattering four hits and striking out six batters.
The Wolves scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. In extra innings each team starts with a runner on second base. Jordan Novak was awarded second base and advanced to third on a groundout. With two outs, Kelsey Gale delivered an RBI single to right field scoring Novak.
Four different Notre Dame players hit singles in the game. Caitlin Moran had two singles for NSU.
Northern State brought out its bats in the second game and ended up winning by the 10-run rule. The game remained scoreless for the first two innings before the Wolves erupted for three runs in the third, five in the fourth and three in the fifth.
NSU used the long ball to get going in the third inning. Moran singled and Gale reached on a fielder's choice. Kelsey Robling smacked a three-run home run.
The Wolves broke the game open in the fourth inning with five runs. Macey Engel and Debbie Evans hit back-to-back singles. Evans was out at second on a fielder's choice by Lindsey Hubler. Moran walked to load the bases. Gale delivered a three RBI single. Robling followed with a two RBI home run, her second homer of the game.
The Broncos scored their lone run on an error and a single in the bottom of the fifth inning. Maya Washington had two hits in the game.
The Wolves were led by Robling with two hits and five RBIs. Moran and Engel had two hits each.
Northern State continues in Florida today against Indianapolis (Ind.) College at 8 a.m. and Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State at 10 a.m.
Notre Dame College (0-1)|000 000 00--0 4 0
Northern State (3-2)|000 000 01--1 4 0
Ashley Harbarger, Ashley Hall (4), Mackenzie Wallace (7) and Steph Glueck; Kami Smesmo and Eryn Yancy.
Northern State (4-2)|003 53--11 10 2
Fayetteville State (0-9)|000 01-- 1 3 0
Debbie Evans and Eryn Yancy; Marley Stubblefield, Kristen Bell (4) and S. Henderson-Holmes. 2B--Fayetteville, Maya Washington. HR--Northern, Kelsey Robling 2, Haley Covias.