Roos avert the sweep with extra inning win at North Dakota State

The Roos needed extra innings to avoid being swept by North Dakota State in a three-game series as they pulled out a 6-4, 12-inning victory Sunday in Fargo, N.D.

Trailing 4-1 after four innings, the Roos enjoyed a three-run seventh inning. Deanna Friese and Cinda Ramos combined to strike out seven.

Freshman Danielle Bennefeld led the Roos as she went 2-for-5 and scored one run. Senior Kaelene Curry went 2-for-5, and Anna Sokolik went 2-for-6 and scored once. Marlee Maples and Caitlin Christopher both scored.

In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Roos lost 7-5 and were outhit 13-9.

The Bison took a 1-0 lead before the Roos scored two runs in the second inning, with freshman Maples and pinch-runner Lea Diaz each scoring for a 2-1 lead. Bison infielder Katie Tamayo homered to left field with two runners on base in the fourth inning to give the Bison a 7-2 lead. Maples led the Roos, going 2-for-4 and scoring two runs, along with freshman catcher Christopher, who went 2-for-4. Senior Kelly Fischer also scored a run, but Bison first baseman Tamayo went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs.

Friese gave up 10 hits.

In the second game, the Roos lost 4-0 as Bison pitcher Whitney Johnson pitched a no-hitter, striking out 10 and giving up just one walk.

The Bison clinched the victory with a three-run sixth inning with Brea Konz’s double the key hit.

The Blue & Gold will play against the Kansas Jayhawks in two games in Lawrence on April 25 before returning to battle Oakland on April 28-29at the Missouri 3&2 Field in Kansas City.

lharman@unews.com