Feb. 10, 2007

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - A grand slam that came as part of a five-run third inning was enough for North Dakota State to hold on for a 5-4 win over Drake Saturday in the UNI-Dome.

The slam, along with Allison Bakke's second pitching win of the day, helped the Bison improve to 2-0 on the first day of the Ramada Inn UNI-Dome Softball Invitational.

The Bulldogs put three runs on the board in their half of the first inning, with a lead-off single and three consecutive walks setting up the scoring. Lindsay Larry, Elena Leon and Jenna Wilkin all scored for Drake.

The Bison answered with a five-spot in the top of the third, however, to grab the lead. Jennifer Morse singled, Lynnae Foshag was hit by a pitch and Grete Peterson reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no one out for NDSU. Laurel Pipkin brought Morse home with an RBI groundout, and an infield single by Kelly Cantrell reloaded the bases. Melissa Chmielewski promptly unloaded them with a grand slam, however. The freshman powered a pitch over the center field fence to push the Bison into the lead, 5-3.

The Bulldogs clawed their way back in the sixth, loading the bases with non one out. Emily Hajduk drove in Kelsey Kahler with an RBI groundout to cut the Bison lead to 5-4.

NDSU responded by loading the bases in the top of the seventh with one out, but a chance to score was taken away when Pipkin was thrown out at home attempting to score on a ground ball by Erin Troup. The bases were still packed with two outs for Kelly Vivant, who grounded out.

That left the door open for Drake in the bottom of the frame, but the Bulldogs failed to push a run across, sealing things for the Bison.

With the win, North Dakota State improved to 2-0, while Drake fell to 0-1.

The Bulldogs next face Northern Illinois in the nightcap at the UNI-Dome, while the Bison return to action Sunday with games against South Dakota State and Northern Illinois to open the day.