HUNTSVILLE — Senior Megan McDonald hit a pair of RBI doubles to lift the Sam Houston State softball team to a 2-1 victory over North Dakota State in the opening game of the Bearkat Invitational Friday evening.
 
McDonald went 3 for 3 at the plate, and freshman Emily Telg had two singles and scored a run for the Bearkats (8-10). Junior Sheridan Fisher and junior Bailey White each hit safely for Sam Houston State.
 
The Bearkats broke a scoreless tie with a run in the bottom of the third inning.
 
Freshman Emily Telg singled to center field to start the inning but was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice by Kayte Martinez. McDonald then brought Martinez home with a double to left-center field to make it 1-0.
 
Sam Houston State added another run in the fifth when Telg led off again with a single and advanced to third on a groundout by Martinez. McDonald once again blasted an RBI double to left-center field.
 
The Bison (5-10) scored a run off starter Karina Sanchez in the sixth, but reliever Annie Bailey came in on relief to shut North Dakota State down the rest of the way to earn the save.
 
Sanchez (2-2) went 5 1/3 innings in the circle with two strike outs to pick up the victory. She only allowed three hits.
 
The Bearkats return to action Saturday when they host NDSU at noon and Louisiana Tech at 5.