Minot State 10  Wayne State 8

          Minot State 13  Wayne State 4
         
            The Wayne State College softball team lost both games of double header against Minot State 10-8 and 13-4 in NSIC conference play Saturday afternoon at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex in Wayne. The Wildcats fall to 2-8 in conference play and 5-26 overall while the Beavers improve to 6-3 in the NSIC and 25-8 overall.
            Wayne State started the game allowing two runs in the top of the first, but came back with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, WSC used a hit from senior catcher Kim Vidlak and back-to-back walks to load the bases for sophomore Mary Krystofiak. Krystofiak hit a single down the right field line to score two Wildcats, knotting the score up at 2-2 after the first.
            Wayne State allowed one run in the top of the second before answering with four in the bottom of the second. WSC started off the inning with a Haley Murphy Home Run, tied the score at 3-3. Vidlak hit an RBI single, scoring junior Riley Holmberg after hit single earlier in the inning. Sophomore Jenna Etmans hit the second homer in the inning for the Wildcats, increasing the lead to 6-3 after two innings.
            The Beavers put up one run in the third and fourth to make the score 6-5 in favor of WSC. The Beavers tied it up in the sixth to make it 6-6 going into the bottom half of the inning.
            The Wildcats regained the lead in the bottom half of the sixth scoring two in the inning. Senior center fielder Kortney Buresh had a bunt for a base hit before stealing second. A RBI double from Holmberg scored Buresh, giving WSC the lead back 7-6.  Vidlak hit a RBI single to right field, scoring Holmberg from second base to give Wayne State their eighth run for a 8-6 lead heading to the final frame.
            The Wildcats game up four runs in the top of the seventh, allowing the Beavers to build a two-run lead 10-8 going to the bottom of the seventh. The Wildcats were unable to answer and fell 10-8. WSC outhit Minot State 12-11.
            Junior pitcher Hadley Chvatal (2-14) got tagged with the loss for WSC while Jasmine Blizzard (5-1) got the win for Minot State.
            Vidlak went 4 for 4 in the game with two RBIs and two runs scored while Holmberg went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
 
            WSC got on the scoreboard first in the second game, scoring one run in the bottom of the first after shutting out the Beavers in the top half of the inning. Buresh started the frame with a double for the Wildcats and advanced to third on a SAC bunt by Holmberg. Buresh would come around to score on a wild pitch, giving Wayne State a 1-0 lead through one inning.
            The Beavers put up three runs in the top of the second, taking the lead 3-1.
            WSC put up two runs in the third, knotting the score at 3-3. Buresh and Holmberg both got on base for the with back-to-back singles. Both runners executed a double steal to put runners on second and third. Vidlak scored both with a single down the right field line making the score 3-3 through the third.
            The Beavers posted five runs in the top half of the fourth, retaking the lead 8-3.
            The Wildcats scored one run in the fifth, when Vidlak had an RBI double, scoring Holmberg from second. After five innings of play the score was 8-4.
            Minot State put up three in the sixth and two in the seventh, taking the second game of the doubleheader 13-4.
            Samantha Felt (2-6) got the loss for the Wildcats, while Reegan Floyd (8-2) received the win for Minot State.
            Buresh went 3 for 4 with two runs scored to lead the Wildcats offense. Holmberg went 2 for 2 with a walk and two runs scored. Vidlak and Etmans both had two-hit games for the Wildcats offense.
            The Wildcats play again Sunday hosting the University of Mary in an NSIC doubleheader at noon.