Royals Clash with #1 Ranked NDSCS Wildcats

The Royals softball team headed to Wahpeton, North Dakota to take on the D3 defending National Champion and current #1 ranked North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats.

In Game 1, the Wildcats wasted no time taking control, scoring five runs in the first inning and adding another in the second to build a 6–0 lead. The Royals managed to hold them scoreless for a couple innings after that, but two more runs in the fifth sealed an 8–0 final. Offensively, Payton Durand led the way with a perfect 2-for-2 performance, while Katie Allmaras chipped in the team's other hit. Ireland Schmidt contributed in the circle with a solid effort that included multiple strikeouts.

Game 2 was a much tighter contest and turned into a pitching duel. Both teams stayed scoreless through the early innings before the Wildcats pushed across two runs in the fifth, highlighted by a triple from their catcher. The Royals threatened late when Faith Spence led off the seventh with a single, but couldn't capitalize, falling 2–0. Offensively, Alexa Ferguson, Ella Harkness, and Spence each went 2-for-3. Tristin McTavish delivered an impressive outing in the circle, tossing six innings while allowing just two runs on four hits.

The Royals now shift their focus on the road again, traveling to Glendive, Montana for a matchup with Dawson Community College on Sunday and Monday.