North Dakota shut out Dakota State in a pair of exhibition softball games, winning 9-0 and 8-0. In the first game, North Dakota burst ahead with four runs in the first inning, led by Makenna Alexander's three-run home run. The Fighting Hawks continued their offensive streak and capitalized on Dakota State's struggles to generate hits. The second game mirrored the first, with North Dakota's pitching dominating again, behind key contributions from Hailey Bethune and Brooklyn House.

By the Numbers
  • North Dakota scored 17 runs across both games, while Dakota State remained scoreless.
  • North Dakota improved to 22-11, while Dakota State falls to 7-15 overall.
State of Play
  • Dakota State struggled offensively, failing to record a hit in both the first three innings of game two.
  • North Dakota demonstrated strong pitching and hitting, with multiple players contributing to the scoring.
What's Next

Dakota State will return to league play, facing Valley City State in a four-game series this upcoming weekend. The games are scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.

Bottom Line

The stark difference in performance between North Dakota and Dakota State highlights the need for the Trojans to improve offensively ahead of their upcoming conference games. Their success will hinge on adjusting their batting strategy and capitalizing on opportunities to avoid another shutout.