The North Dakota softball team lost the third game of its series against South Dakota on April 20, falling 7-5 at Albrecht Field. With this result, North Dakota’s record moves to 25-18 overall and 2-7 in Summit League play, while South Dakota improves to 12-30-1 and 4-8 in conference games.
This outcome matters for both teams as they continue their campaigns in the Summit League. The loss further impacts North Dakota’s position within the league standings.
The game was marked by windy conditions that contributed to four home runs—two by each team. North Dakota was outhit seven to five, with Tyler Price, Makenna Alexander, Camryn Lasota, Taya Hopfauf, and Jaedyn Valdez each recording a hit. Alexander and Lasota both hit their fifth home runs of the season.
Tegan Livesay took the loss for North Dakota after pitching five and one-third innings and allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Tehya Armstrong pitched one and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Madison Evans pitched a complete game for South Dakota, throwing 147 pitches over seven innings while giving up five runs on five hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts.
South Dakota scored early in the first inning after Autumn Iversen doubled and Brooke Carey singled; an error helped plate two runs for the Coyotes. In response, Alexander tied it up for North Dakota in the third inning with a two-run homer following Price’s bunt single. The teams remained even until South Dakota broke through in the sixth inning with back-to-back home runs—a three-run shot from Allie Cromer followed by a two-run homer from Abi Brown—to take a commanding lead.
North Dakota rallied late when Lasota hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning but could not close the gap as Hailey Bethune struck out looking to end the contest.
Looking ahead, North Dakota will play again tomorrow at Minnesota with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m., broadcast on Big Ten Network Plus.
