University of Minnesota Athletics
NDSU Defeats #21/22 Auburn, 5-2, at Minneapolis Regional
5/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 16, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS - North Dakota State opened the 2014 NCAA Division I Softball Minneapolis Regional with a 5-2 upset victory against No. 21/22 Auburn on Friday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.
Junior third baseman Amanda Grable's three-run home run with one out in the sixth inning provided the winning runs, as NDSU (36-16) recorded its second-ever win against a team from the Southeastern Conference.
The Bison, who had dropped an 11-3 decision at Auburn in their second game this season, recorded their sixth all-time win against a nationally-ranked foe at the Division I level. The Bison improved to 5-8 all-time in the NCAA Division I Tournament, and now have wins in 11 of their past 12 games.
Auburn (39-18-1) jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first, as sophomore second baseman Emily Carosone drew a leadoff walk and scored from first on the ninth double of the season by freshman third baseman Kasey Cooper.
NDSU tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the third, as senior first baseman Brandi Enriquez drew a walk and scored from third on a two-out single to right by sophomore shortstop Logan Moreland.
The Tigers recaptured a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth, as junior centerfielder Morgan Estell led off the inning by lining her sixth home run of the season over the wall in right center.
Once again, though, the Bison responded to tie the game, as sophomore left fielder Maritza Lopez-Portillo led off the top of the fifth with a towering home run to left center.
NDSU broke things open in the top of the sixth, as junior third baseman Amanda Grable crushed the first pitch she saw over the wall in left for a three-run homer, her team-leading tenth of the season.
Junior right-hander Krista Menke improved to 29-7 this season by allowing just four hits and two earned runs against the Tigers. Menke worked around eight walks and struck out five in her 28th complete-game victory of the season.
North Dakota State advances to the winners' bracket, where it will face the winner of this evening's game between Minnesota and Green Bay. That game will take place at 1:30 p.m. CT.
