Early Offensive Firepower Falls Short for Hawks in Defeats to Pitt and Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The North Dakota Fighting Hawks showcased an explosive start in both games last Saturday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium, but unfortunately, their early offensive fireworks weren’t enough to secure wins against formidable opponents. The Hawks fell to both the Pittsburgh Panthers and Minnesota Golden Gophers, each by a score of 5-3.
A Tale of Two Games
Thrills and Dramas in the Nightcap
In the second game against Minnesota, the Hawks burst out of the gate, scoring three runs in the first inning powered by five hits. Highlights of the inning included a run-scoring double from Callie Honig and another from Angie Dumlao, complemented by an RBI single from Katelyn Neumayer. This surge gave North Dakota a promising 3-0 lead, but Minnesota quickly countered, leveraging two walks and two errors to scrape together two runs in the bottom of the first.
The Gophers didn’t stop there. They managed to tie the game in the second inning with an RBI single and took the lead on a wild pitch. By the end of the frame, Minnesota had secured a commanding position, leaving the Hawks trailing 3-5 as all eight runs were scored within the first two innings.
Prowess in the Opener Against Pitt
The Hawks roared to life early in their first matchup against Pitt as Katie Joten launched a solo home run into left field on the opening plate appearance. This not only ignited the Hawks’ hopes but also established a 1-0 lead in mere moments. They extended that lead to 2-0 in the next inning when Taya Hopfauf made a heads-up play to score on a deep fly ball that trickled into foul territory.
However, the Panthers responded robustly, scoring their first run on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the second. The back-and-forth continued as North Dakota again took the lead with Neumayer driving in Quincie Chunestudey for a 3-1 advantage. But the third inning saw the Panthers even the score with a two-run home run, ultimately claiming the lead with a crafty steal-play that put them ahead 4-3.
Missed Opportunities
Despite putting runners on base in the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings against Minnesota, the Hawks couldn’t capitalize. Likewise, they arrived with runners on first and second in the final innings against Pitt but failed to turn those opportunities into runs. UND’s defensive struggles were highlighted by two errors in each game, undermining their offensive efforts.
Statistical Highlights
- Strong Pitching Performances: Jackie Albrecht started for the Hawks against Minnesota, marking 2.2 innings with three strikeouts, while Katelyn Strauss followed up with a stellar showing of 3.1 innings, only allowing three hits.
- In the first game, Tehya Armstrong and Unity Nelson took turns on the mound, with Armstrong finishing with 4.0 IP and Nelson spending 2.0 IP facing only one over the minimum.
Key Takeaways
The Hawks were left to navigate their errors and missed chances as both games showcased their offensive potential but ultimately revealed vulnerabilities that need addressing.
Looking Ahead
The Fighting Hawks are set to rematch against the Golden Gophers this Sunday at noon. For fans eager to catch the action, live coverage is readily available at FightingHawks.com.
Postgame Notes
- Albrecht is just two strikeouts shy of becoming the fourth Hawk in history to reach 400 career strikeouts.
- Record-breaking performances from Honig, Neumayer, and Hopfauf—each logged multi-hit games across the doubleheader.
- The Hawks achieved a season-high with three double plays against Minnesota.
For those craving more information about North Dakota softball, visit FightingHawks.com or follow the action on social media @UNDsoftball. Be a part of the journey as the Hawks aim to rise from these narrow defeats and dominate their upcoming matchups!
