FARGO, N.D. – A day punctuated with an emphatic exclamation mark, the IUPUI softball team (15-20, 5-0) secured a firm grip on first-place in the Summit League standings with a historic pair of victories over North Dakota State (15-23, 3-2) Saturday (April 8), dropping the Bison 3-1 in game one before a slugfest 11-9 victory in the second game.  Both games carried historical significance for IUPUI, as each marked firsts for the Jags. 
 
The victory over the Bison in the first game marked the first time the Jags had defeated North Dakota State in Fargo during the regular season.  The second game marked the Jags first series victory against North Dakota State since 2010, and the first series victory on the road against the reigning Summit League champions.  The loss by North Dakota State snaps a streak of 36-straight wins against league opponents, as the Bison have won five-straight Summit League titles, and seven of the last eight.    
 
IUPUI was keyed on the day by a balanced offensive assault, as the Jags hit a combined .338 through two games.  Three Jags connected on homeruns, as Roni Patterson, Taylor Chitwood, and Kristin London all went yard in the doubleheader sweep.  Patterson combined to hit 3-for-7, also knocking a double and picking up a team-best four RBIs with a pair of runs scored.  Chitwood was also 3-for-7 with three RBIs.  McKenzie Loge had one of the hottest bats on a 4-for-6 effort with two runs scored, also reaching base on a walk.  Delilah Wright was 4-for-9 out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup, scoring four runs and picking up an RBI.  Alyssa Matson had a double and an RBI on three hits, while Delaney Thompson picked up a single and a double.  Maggie Good and Mandy Dallas also had hits, as Dallas secured two RBIs. 
 
An exceptional day Erica Tharp, the sophomore pitcher went 2-0 in a pair of appearances, tossing 10.1 innings while giving up just four earned runs.  Her 2.71 ERA came on 12 hits, as she struck out seven while walking three.  Nickole Finch gave up just two earned runs and five overall in 3.2 innings,  striking out a pair.
 
In the first game, IUPUI came out swinging, as Wright reach base on an infield single to the left side.  Immediately following, Chitwood swatted a two-run homer to left field, putting the Jags up 2-0.  Tharp was able to keep the Bison scoreless until the fifth inning, as a two-out double to left center scored a run.  Showing resiliency, "Rico" induced an infield popup to silence the offense. 
 
Wasting no time in getting the run back, Patterson hit a leadoff homerun to center field to make it a 3-1 game, as the Jags needed nothing else in closing out the bout.  Finch took over the circle in relief to start the bottom of the sixth, tossing two no-hit innings to lock up her second save of the year.
 
10 combined runs highlighted the first three innings for the two teams in game two, as Matson started off the action on an infield single to third base.  An error put runners at first and second, as the bases became loaded on a walk issued to Chitwood.  Patterson ripped a single through the left side, scoring one and keeping the bases jammed up.  A bases loaded walk was issued to London as she earned the Jags second RBI in the inning, as IUPUI claimed a 2-0 lead.
 
Despite what seemed like a daunting lead, the Jags maintained their composure in looking at an offensive outburst from North Dakota State that put up six runs in two innings.  Responding to the deficit, London knocked a solo homerun with one out in the third inning, followed by a double to center field by Thompson.  With a runner in scoring position, a single from Loge put runners at the corners with one away.  That's when Matson hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Thompson on the play.
 
After blanking in the fourth inning, a single by Loge to center field gave the Jags a runner with one away.  Wright and Chitwood singled in back-to-back appearances, as an error by the right fielder allowed Wright and Loge to score, tying the game at 6-6.
 
The Jags needed every bit of an offensive outburst in the top half of the seventh inning, as Thompson started the party with a single up the middle.  After a walk by Loge, Matson singled to load up the bases, bringing Wright into the batter's box.  She knocked an infield single that scored a runner, followed by a two-run double down the left field line by Patterson.  Dallas singled up the middle to score two more, making it an 11-6 game.
 
It became gut-wrenching, but the Jags held on after North Dakota State put up three runs in the bottom half.  With the victory, the Jags complete the doubleheader sweep of the Bison for the first time ever. 
 
Through five games against Summit League opponents, Loge is hitting an unreal .692 (9-for-13).  Patterson owns a .529 average on nine hits, slugging 1.000 with two homeruns and two doubles.  She's knocked across eight RBIs.  London has three homeruns while Chitwood has knocked a pair.
 
The Jags will look to complete the sweep Sunday (April 9) at 12 p.m. EST.
 
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