POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team dropped a double header at home on Friday afternoon to North Dakota, losing 4-0 in game 1 and 6-5 in game 2. In game 2 the Bengals had the two-out game-tying run called out at the plate to give the Fighting Hawks the victory.
Idaho State falls to 11-17 and 4-4 in Big Sky play while North Dakota improved to 17-23 and 3-5 in league.
ISU had 10 hits on the day.
Alex Portesi,
Kacie Burnett and
Emma Bordenkecher each had two hits.
Ashlyn Ames took the loss in game 1. She pitched seven innings, allowed five hits, four runs (two earned), three walks and struck out six.
Mariah Mulcahy took the loss in game 2, going 6.1 innings, allowing six hits, four runs (two earned), three walks and striking out three.
In the first game, North Dakota scored its runs in the first, second, fourth and sixth innings. UND had five hits while ISU was held to three hits and committed three errors.
North Dakota jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the top of the third inning in game 2. In the bottom of the third inning,
Kelsey Breer led off with a home run to right field. Then with two outs, Portesi singled to center field and Burnett followed with an infield single. Ames then reached base on an error that allowed Portesi to score the final run of the inning.
Idaho State added a run in the fourth inning to up the lead to 3-1. North Dakota then scored a run in the fifth and four in the top of the seventh inning to take a 6-3 lead.
The Bengals rallied in the bottom of the seventh to put themselves in a position to tie or win the game. With two outs Portesi walked and Burnett reached base on a fielding error. Ames then singled home the first run. After
Aubrey Creekmore walked, Bordenkecher singled up the middle to score Burnett but Mulcahy, who was pinching running, was called out at the plate, giving UND the victory.
The series concludes Saturday at 12 p.m. on Saturday. There will be an Easter Egg hunt following the game for kids.
