Fargo, N.D. (April 24, 2005)--The South Dakota softball team (18-36) was swept in a doubleheader, 4-2, and 6-1, by former North Central Conference foe North Dakota State (22-23) at the Ellig Sports Complex in Fargo, N.D.

In the first game, USD was held hitless until the sixth inning, when they finally got on the board scoring two runs on three hits.

Freshman Katie Swanson (Omaha, Neb.) got the inning started by leading off with a single to the shortstop. Megan Wells (Ireton, Iowa) pinch ran for Swanson and advanced to third on a single from Abby Poulter (Colfax, Iowa) and a fielder's choice by Krystal Kirwan (Omaha, Neb.).

Kerri Starcevich (Monroe, Iowa) singled in Wells and Poulter then scored on a wild pitch, but it was to little to late as the Bison had already score four times; once each in the second and fifth innings and twice in the third.

Senior Angela Palma (Omaha, Neb.) fell to 7-14 on the season, as she gave up seven hits and four earned runs. Palma struckout one and walked one.

NDSU's Allison Bakke pitched all seven innings, striking out 13 and allowing two earned runs.

The second game wasn't much better for the Coyote offense as USD managed just one run on five hits, a solo homerun by Swanson, the first of her career, in the top of the second inning.

The Bison got two runs in the first second and fourth innings.

For NDSU, Lynnae Foshag was 2-for-4 with a triple and a single. She had two RBI's in the game.

Junior Amber Terry (Fremont, Neb.) pitched 3 2/3 innings and surrendered all six runs on nine hits. Terry struckout one and walked two, while falling to 3-8 on the season.

Alisha Yowell (Omaha, Neb.) came on in relief and held NDSU scoreless while allowing three hits and striking out two.

USD will play in Wayne, Neb., on Tuesday, April 26, starting at 4 p.m. in its next action.