Feb. 11, 2007

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Melissa Chmielewski finished her red-hot Ramada Inn UNI-Dome Softball Invitational in fitting fashion. The freshman hit a first-inning grand slam and drove in seven runs in North Dakota State's 11-2 romp of Northern Illinois. The Bison finished the tournament with a 4-0 record and averaged seven runs per contest.

The Bison stampeded onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Chmielewski crushed NIU pitcher Taryn Hagemann's offering over the left field fence for a grand slam and a 4-0 advantage.

Chmielewski starred for NDSU in the following frame as well, smacking a two-run single to right to score Laurel Pipkin and Lynnae Foshag and take a 6-0 lead. The Bison added two more runs on a double by Jackie Currie and scored their ninth run in two innings after Currie crossed the plate on an Erin Troup RBI Double.

NIU's Randi Kreiter rescued the Huskie offense from a shutout in the third inning with a two-run double to left-center, scoring Allie Parker and Krystn Sendeais and putting the Huskies on the board.

But the Bison bats were too much for NIU. After a Kelly Cantrell fielder's choice scored Foshag, Chmielewski smacked an RBI single to score Grete Peterson and put the score at 11-2 through three innings. The NDSU defense held through the next two frames to secure the 11-2 victory.

Chmielewski finished the game 3-3 with seven RBI. For the tournament, the freshman was 6-12 with a home run, three runs scored and15 RBI.

The Bison tagged Hagemann for 11 earned runs in four innings of work. Andi Padilla threw well through five, allowing just two earned runs on three hits while striking out three.

Northern Illinois falls 1-2 on the season. North Dakota State improves to 4-0 overall.

The Ramada Inn UNI-Dome Softball Invitational continues with a matchup between Drake and South Dakota State at 2:00 p.m.