Bison Softball Blanks UNLV 1-0 in Extra Frames

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Whitney Johnson tossed a two-hitter and Jenina Ortega delivered the game-winning single as North Dakota State University defeated UNLV 1-0 in nine innings on Friday, March 8, 2013, at the Long Beach State Invitational. NDSU's first game with Idaho State was postponed.

North Dakota State (8-10), which has won four straight, is scheduled to play Weber State at 11 a.m. Central and UC Santa Barbara at 1:30 p.m. Central on Saturday, March 9.

Johnson, who improved to 6-5, struck out seven, hit three batters and walked two. She completed her third straight shutout and fourth of the season.

Playing international speed up rules in the extra innings, Logan Moreland was placed on second in the top of the ninth inning. Moreland advanced to second on Amanda Grable's sacrifice bunt and scored on Ortega's single to right center with one out.

Both pitchers carried no-hitters into the sixth inning. NDSU's Moreland broke up Amanda Oliveto's bid with a lead-off single in the top of the sixth. UNLV's Stephany Valentino broke up Johnson's bid with a single with two outs in the bottom of the frame.

Oliveto (6-7) struck out 10 and walked four in recording the loss. Alyssa Cordova had a two-out double to right in the seventh for the Rebels.