Jamestown, N.D. – The Comets Softball Team headed to Jamestown for another conference series this past weekend against Waldorf.

The series was originally scheduled to be played at home for the Comets, but due to weather it was moved into the Nelson Bubble in Jamestown.

The Comets went 2-2 on the weekend, moving their conference record to 6-6.

"Overall, we didn't have our best weekend offensively or defensively. We have to find ways to play clean behind all pitchers. We continue to let teams extend innings with two outs and find ways to score runners. We are our own worst enemy sometimes and being able to practice outside this week I am hoping we can play cleaner defense against Bellevue this upcoming weekend," said head coach Jordan Olson.

Game 1: W 6-5

Game time was set for 8pm, but 3 double headers played before the Comets and Warriors match up caused a delay and Emily Haines didn't throw the first pitch until after 9pm.

Waldorf would open the game with a two out error and walk being scored on a double.

The Comets would respond right away in the bottom of the first where Mayville State would load up the bases and Madison Terres would hit 2 out GRAND SLAM.

Things would be quiet for both teams until the fourth where Waldorf would be able to push two tying up the game at 4 apiece.

However, the Comets would respond in the bottom of the fourth with 2 outs and score a run off of a Waldorf error.

In the top of the 6^th, 3 Waldorf hits would lead to a run that would tie up the game at 5.

Mayville State would get the final run they needed to when Mackenzie Hughes hit a 2 out double scoring Kennedy Vettel.

This would be the first outing of the 2024 season for Hughes as she just returned from the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament where she starts for the Comets.

Madison Terres went 1-2 with 4 RBIs, 1 HR, 1BB
Mackenzie Hughes went 2-3 with 1 RBI, 1 2B

Emily Haines started in the circle for the Comets where she would give up 5 runs on 11 hits while striking out 7.

"Emily continues to find ways to keep us in games. This weekend she hit 100 career strike outs and is 4-1 in conference play and her presence and leadership in the circle is impactful to our program."

Game 2 – L 6-1

The Comets would start game two just after 11:30pm and they would struggle to piece together anything offensively and fall to the Warriors 6-1.

Mayville State would have issues capitalizing on two outs as Waldorf would be able to score 3 runs in the bottom of the 3^rd all with two outs.

There would be some life for the Comets in the bottom of the 4^th as Autumn McGough was able to hit a single to centerfield and score Kennedy Vettel. But that would be all for Mayville State.

The Warriors would tack on a few more runs and take the game, which ended just after 1:30am.

Megan Elliott went 2-3
Alyssa Avila went 2-3, 1 SB
Autumn McGough went 1-3, 1 RBI

Courtney Boll got the start for the Comets and she would give up 6 runs on just 4 hits while striking out 7.

"Walks and defensive errors would be the difference maker in this game. I felt Courtney pitched well but our defensive didn't play behind her. She made her own mistakes that she owns, but she also wasn't put in a very good position to capitalize in situations due to our defenses lack of closing out innings," said Olson. "Playing at 1am wasn't ideal, but it is definitely something I don't think anyone will forget, regardless of the scores."

Game 3 L 4-2

Mayville State would get some much needed sleep and wouldn't start game 3 on Saturday until 2pm. Waldorf's pitcher would keep the Comets to just 2 hits in game 3.

The Warriors would score two runs in the 1^st and two runs in the 4^th, while Mayville States only offensive activity would be in the fourth where Mackenzie Hughes would draw a walk and Megan Elliott would hit a home run to deep left field.

Megan Elliott went 1-3 with 2 RBI, 1 HR
Autumn McGough went 1-3
Hughes and Lacey Mathiowetz would have a stolen base each.

Game 4 W 6-4

Looking for the split in the series, the Comets were determined to find offense in game four. They were able to do just that; scoring in the 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th taking the game 6-4.

Autumn McGough would hit a 2 out RBI double in the bottom of the 1^st, putting the Comets on the board first.

Hughes would lead the bottom of the 3^rd off with a single and Lindsey Tulla would find her bat and smoke a deep double to right center scoring Hughes.

Elliott would come up next and hit a single to center, scoring Tulla. The Comets led 3-0 heading into the 4^th.

The Warriors would be able to plate one run in the top of the fourth but Mayville State would tack on 3 more in the bottom of the 5^th extending their lead.

Waldorf would threaten Comets by scoring 3 runs in the top of the 7^th, but Boll would finish the game with producing a ground out to second base.

The top of the line up would be the difference maker in this game for the Comets as 1-5 would combine for 7 hits and all 6 runs scored.

Mackenize Hughes went 1-2, 1 BB
Lindsey Tulla went 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 1 SB
Megan Elliott went 2-3, 2 RBI
Alyssa Avila went 1-3, 1 RBI
Autumn McGough went 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 2B

Lacey Mathiowetz would start in the circle and give up just 1 run on 4 hits in 4 innings. She also struck out 3.

Courtney Boll would come in to finish the game for Mayville State. She gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and she struck out 2.

The Comets will host Bellevue Friday and Saturday in Hillsboro, N.D. at the Olsen Softball Complex.

For full schedule details visit: https://msucomets.com/sports/softball/schedule