North Dakota State University’s softball team defeated Long Beach State 5-2 in a non-conference matchup on March 10 at the LBSU Softball Complex.
The win was secured after North Dakota State responded to an early deficit with a four-run second inning. Macy Fry delivered a three-run double to left center, giving the Bison the lead. Fry later scored on an RBI single by Star Cortez in the same inning.
Long Beach State threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the second, but Cortez made a key defensive play by catching Lina Apodaca’s potential home run over the center field wall. The Beach managed to score again in the third inning, but Bison pitcher Jocelyn McClary settled in and retired eight of nine batters before being relieved by Madison Wihlm during a bases-loaded situation in the sixth. Wihlm ended that threat with a pop out and ground out.
Cortez added another RBI single in the seventh, scoring Fry for a second time and extending North Dakota State’s lead. Wihlm closed out the game with two strikeouts and a groundout for her second save of the season.
Fry set a personal record with three runs batted in, while Cortez went 2-for-4 at bat. Taylinn Warren led North Dakota State with three hits, increasing her hitting streak to eight games. McClary earned her sixth win of the season, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out two batters.
North Dakota State is scheduled to play UC Riverside next, with first pitch set for 3 p.m. Central Time.
