KISSIMMEE, FLA.  --- The Minnesota State softball team held Stonehill and Northwoods to a combined nine hits – en route to a pair of victories Sunday afternoon at the Rebel Spring Games.

The wins pushed MSU’s record to 7-1 on the season and 4-0 on its spring trip.  The Mavericks have won their last five games.

In the opener, MSU pounded out 15 hits en route to earning a 7-0 win over Stonehill.  The Mavericks scored a run in the first and four in the second to stake an early 5-0 lead, which is all redshirt freshman pitcher Courtney McKelvogue would need. 

McKelvogue worked four innings and allowed three hits while striking out five to earn the victory, her third of the season.  Sophomore Katie Kruse worked three innings of one-hit ball and struck out three.

Freshman centerfielder Lauryn Morris led Minnesota State at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.  Junior third baseman Julie O'Neal was 2-for-2 with the RBI while freshman designated player Abby Sonner went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

In the nightcap the Mavericks downed Northwoods, 2-0 as the Mavericks took advantage of a pair of Timberwolf miscues and turned them into a pair of runs.

Senior second baseman Abby Morris led off the first for MSU with a single and would then move to second on a passed ball.  Junior first baseman Natalie Spicer then singled, scoring Morris and staking the Mavericks to a 1-0 lead after a half an inning.

Minnesota State added another run in the third as Abby Morris coaxed a lead-off walk.  Lauren Morris would reach on an error from her sacrifice bunt, moving Abby to third.  Spicer then executed a squeeze bunt, scoring Abby and giving the Mavericks the second and final run of the game.

Sophomore pitcher Kendra Huettl went the distance to earn the win as she allowed six hits while striking out five.  Huettl retired 13 Northwoods batter via the ground ball.

Senior catcher Kelsey Thompson was 3-for-3 for the Mavericks in the win.

The Mavericks play Ferris State and Indianapolis tomorrow at 9 and 11 a.m., respectively.

To view stats from Game 1, click HERE

To view stats from Game 2, click HERE