LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Minot State Universitygave up  five runs in the second inning – four on a grand slam – and could not fully recover, losing 7-4 to Chadron State College in their opening game of the season in nonconference college softball at the Montana State-Billings Desert Stinger Friday at Majestic Park.

Chadron State is an NCAA Division II team, while the Beavers are in Year 2 Candidacy for its transition to NCAA Division II.

The Beavers (0-1 overall) made a game of it, scoring three runs over the final two innings after falling behind 7-1. MSU outhit the Eagles 7-6, but didn't get the big hit, stranding 11 base runners in the game.

“We definitely had ducks on the pond,” said MSU head coach Bill Triplett. “I told them after the game that if we can get seven hits and four runs, we are going to win 75 percent of our games because of our pitching staff. We can't hang our heads. Nobody likes to lose, but this was one of those positive losses.”

MSU took a 1-0 lead as Mandy Greenberg (So., P, Winnipeg, Manitoba) singled and scored on a single by Melissa Elliott (Sr., OF, Escondido, Calif.) with two outs.

But Chadron State (1-0) rallied in the bottom of the second – all with two outs as well. Greenberg, who started in the circle for the Beavers, was uncharacteristically wild in the inning walking four batters in a row – plating the first run for the Eagles with a base on balls – before giving up a grand slam to Angela Jay. Jay finished with five runs batted in and two hits. Nikki Ritzen and Danielle L'Argent both finished with two runs scored and a run batted in for Chadron.

“That's not Mandy's MO. She hasn't had an inning like that for us,” Triplett said. “She had some trouble with her release point in the inning. She walked four in the inning but we thought we had the inning over. We didn't get one go our way (MSU lost a third strike appeal) and the next batter hits the home run.”

The Beavers got one back in the sixth as pinch runner Jana Britz (So., OF, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) scored on a wild pitch and scored twice in the seventh as Stacy Fournier (Fr., SS, Langley, British Columbia) doubled home two runs.

“There is some really good talent down here and we saw some good things for our team,” said Triplett. “Our freshman shortstop (Fournier) had a big hit and didn't have an error. That's good for your first time out.”

Greenberg only gave up three hits and struck out six, but had six walks to suffer the loss. Kate Pinder struck out four and gave up just one run in five innings to get the win for Chadron.

No MSU batter had multiple hits, but Fournier and Greenberg each with 1 for 2. Elliott was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Beavers freshman Jen Dixon (P/OF, Brandon, Manitoba) pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

“Dixon pitched the one inning and really had her sinker going – it was dropping off the chart,” Triplett said. “Mandy was fine after the one inning, she settled down, but we wanted to have a couple others get their feet wet before we have to count on them.”

The Beavers continue play at the Desert Stinger Saturday, playing Regis University in an exhibition game for MSU at 5 p.m. (MT) and finish the day with New Mexico Highlands at 7:30 p.m. (MT).