College softball: Johnson shines for Bison

FARGO - A home game has been a foreign concept for the North Dakota State softball team this spring, playing its first 42 games on the road.

NDSU made a successful season debut at Ellig Sports Complex on Sunday, earning a doubleheader sweep over South Dakota State in Summit League play. Sophomore pitcher Whitney Johnson struck out 24 batters in two games to help lead the Bison to 9-0 (five innings) and 9-7 (nine innings) victories.

"I think the weirdest feeling was just coming out of my bed this morning and coming right to the field," said Johnson, who had a career-high 14 strikeouts in the second game. "It feels really good to be home."

The first game ended early due to the eight-run rule. The Bison needed a dramatic four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 2 to force extra innings.

Catcher Jenina Ortega lifted the Bison to victory in Game 2. The freshman cracked a two-out, two-run walk-off home run to cap the NDSU comeback.

"We just pulled it together. We all had that confidence," said Ortega, who was 3-for-5 with five RBIs in the second game. "Once we had that tie, coming into every inning after that we knew we were going to win."

NDSU (22-22, 12-5 Summit) has won 10 of its last 11 games. The Bison host SDSU at noon today.

Johnson (15-8) has earned wins in each of the last 10 games she has started.

"I thought she did a good job on the mound, just mentally being prepared," said NDSU coach Darren Mueller. "I'm proud of just her demeanor and her focus."

Prior to Sunday, Mueller said his team had only been able to practice on its home field once this season due to a soggy spring.

"It's kind of foreign to us because we haven't been out here for so long," Mueller said.

Johnson was sharp in Game 1, allowing one hit in five innings. She threw 62 pitches, including 49 strikes. SDSU shortstop Ashley Durazo punched a single into right field with one out in the fourth to break up the no-hit bid.

Johnson struck out the side in the fifth inning to close out the 9-0 win as she ended that game with 10 strikeouts.

"She had everything working," Ortega said. "She also had the mentality today of a winner. It was good to see the confidence and it brought us two Ws."

In Game 2, Johnson pitched the first six innings, allowing five earned runs and three home runs.

However, Johnson came back into the game in the eighth and strung together two scoreless innings to get the win.

"I think that coming back in I saw how hard my team was fighting and I was going to give them a chance," said Johnson. "I wasn't going to leave here until we won."

The Bison center fielder Kristina Victa gave the Bison new life with a clutch hit in the bottom of the seventh inning. The freshman cracked a two-run double that tied the score at 7-7 and capped a four-run inning.

"I'm really proud of the fact that they came back and did that," Mueller said.

Even though her team lost, Durazo had a strong effort in the second game. The senior went 5-for-5 with three home runs and five RBIs.

NDSU 9, SDSU 0 (5 innings)

SDSU 000 00- 0 1 2

Bison 102 6x- 9 8 0

Seidlitz and Bingham. Johnson and Ortega. W-Johnson (14-9). L-Seidlitz (5-15). HR-NDSU, Mortensen (7).

NDSU 9, SDSU 7 (9 innings)

SDSU 001 022 200- 7 11 1

Bison 020 001 402- 9 14 0

Nicholson, Seidlitz (7) and Bingham. Johnson, Parks (7), Johnson (8) and Ortega. W-Johnson (15-8). L-Seidlitz (5-16). HR-SDSU, Durazo 3 (5), Weber (2), Ortega (2).

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