Mankato, Minn.—The Minnesota State softball team swept the Huskies of St. Cloud State Wednesday afternoon, the first game 8-4 and the second with a shutout, 3-0.

The Mavericks opened the bottom of the first inning with two runs off of two hits. The first at-bat, senior second basemen Abby Morris doubled to left center then advanced to third off a sacrifice bunt. Junior first basemen Natalie Spicer singled up the middle bringing Morris in for the first run. Spicer would bring in the second run after a throwing error by the Huskies.

St. Cloud State answered back in the top of the second with two runs off of four hits.

In the bottom of the second Minnesota State earned one run as sophomore right fielder Amanda Umhoefer doubled to center field bringing a runner in.

At the top of the third, St. Cloud State took the lead earning two runs off two hits and one error.

Senior catcher Kelsey Thompson earned her second home run of the season in the bottom of the third to tie the game at four.

Taking the lead in the bottom of the fourth, Minnesota State had two runs off one hit as the Huskies walked four bringing two in for the Mavericks.

In the bottom of the fifth, Minnesota State grabbed a pair of runs off two hits and one error, as freshman third basemen Chloe Minkel and freshman right fielder Chelsie Krull brought in the two runs.

Freshman pitcher Courtney McKelvogue came in at the top of the fourth with the score tied 4-4, improving her record to 8-3. McKelvogue allowed no runs, off one hit while striking out five Huskies batters.  

In the second game bottom of the second inning the Mavericks earned the first two runs off two hits. Junior catcher Julie O'Neal singled to left center then advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore left-fielder Chelsea Erickson drilled a home run bringing two runs in, earning her fifth home run of the season.

The Mavericks grabbed one more run in the bottom of the third off no hits and two fielding errors that would bring Krull in for the run.

The Huskies never answered back with no runs, five hits and three errors, as the Mavericks posted three runs off of four hits and one error.

McKelvogue pitched the first five innings for the Mavericks with no runs off of four hits, while striking out six. McKelvogue earns the win and improves her record to 9-3.

Sophomore pitcher Kendra Huettl finished the last two innings for the Mavericks with no runs off one hit, while striking out one. Huettl earned her first save of the season.

Minnesota State (17-5, 3-1 NSIC) host the University of Mary Saturday afternoon, first pitch slated for 1 p.m.

To view Game One Stats click HERE

To view Game Two Stats click HERE

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