MINOT, N.D. – Black Hills State struggled today, outside of the first inning of game one, to put runs up against MSU Moorhead. The Yellow Jackets didn’t score a single run in their final 13 innings of softball and got swept by the Dragons, despite getting very solid performances from the pitching staff, and seeing zero on the opponents score into the fifth inning of both games.
Peskey was dominant once again in her start in game two going for double-digit strikeouts for just the second time in her career, the first being the season opener. She combined for 31 strikeouts over the weekend. Black Hills State (2-4) lost game one 3-2 and game two 2-0.
QUICK DETAILS – GAME 1
Final Score: Minnesota Moorhead 3, Black Hills State 2
Team Records: Black Hills State (2-3), Minnesota Moorhead (3-2)
Pitching Decision: Win: Clemmons (1-1), Loss: Hoff (0-3)
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
• Black Hills State started the scoring early for the Yellow Jackets when both Lily Simmons and Tyler Whitlock reached base to start the first. Carly Reyes Mims bunted them to second and third and Desi Hernandez hit a two-run RBI single to give the Jackets a 2-0 lead.
• Caitlyn Hoff had a strong first four innings, before she ran into trouble when Avery Steffen doubled to lead off the inning. Annika Norman took a hit by pitch, and Steffen scored on a single by Eliya Johnson. Norman advanced home on an error by shortstop Simmons, and that tied the game at 2-0
• Hoff started the second by getting a fly out, then allowing a double and a single to put runners on first and third with no outs. She was replaced by Malaya Coleman, who got a fly out that held the runner at third, before Coleman threw a wild pitch that allowed Steffen to score on a wild pitch and give Moorhead their first lead at 3-2.
• Carli Maley singled to start the top of the seventh, but a bunt that third basemen Lexie Wilson made an incredible throw on to get pinch runner Andria Fitch out at second, and then another groundout that got Dowden out at second ended the threat and gave Moorhead a 3-2 win.
BLACK HILLS STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 1
Carli Maley: 2-for-3
Desi Hernandez: 1-for-2, 2 RBIs
Caitlyn Hoff, 5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3K
QUICK DETAILS – GAME 2
Final Score: Minnesota Moorhead 2, Black Hills State 0
Team Records: Black Hills State (2-4), Minnesota Moorhead (4-2)
Pitching Decision: Win: Steffen (3-0), Loss: Peskey (2-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
• Steffen and Laci Peskey battled all game neither really giving an inch until the sixth inning when Steffen hit a single to get on base versus Peskey, advanced to second on a groundout, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then a squeeze play at home scored Steffen to give MSU Moorhead a 1-0 lead.
• Moorhead got two singles off of Peskey to put runners on first and second with no outs. A passed ball allowed the runners to move to second and third, and a sacrifice fly by Olivia Goderis, brought the lead runner home when Maley dropped the perfect throw in by Alyssa Wong to give MSU Moorhead a 2-0 lead
• Steffen was brilliant, taking a no-hitter into the final frame with six strikeouts. It wasn’t until Carly Reyes Mims hit a line drive single that was nearly caught by the outfielder but wasn’t that Steffen’s no-hitter was broken. However, she struck out the next two batters and got Katelyn Jarzobski to fly out to finish the game and give Moorhead the sweep.
• Laci Peskey was dominant, however, reaching double digit strikeouts for the second time this season (11). She never had more than eight strikeouts last season. She was almost perfect but did earn her first loss of the season.
BLACK HILLS STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 2
Laci Peskey: 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB
Carly Reyes Mims: 1-for-2, BB, broke up no-hitter in the seventh.
