Colorado Springs, Colo.—The second-seeded Minnesota State Mavericks defeated the Warriors of Winona State in elimination game Saturday evening, 7-6.

The win marks the fifth victory over the Warriors this season.

The Warriors brought the first run in at the top of the second inning off a home run to left field.

The Mavericks brought two runs in at the bottom of the second as junior Julie O'Neal reached on a walk, advanced to second on a fouled out ball and came in for the run on a throwing error by the Warriors. Sophomore Amanda Umhoefer brought the second run in hitting a home run to center field, her fifth of the season.

In the bottom of the fourth the Mavericks tallied two more runs as sophomore Chelsea Erickson singled up the middle before O’Neal drilled a home run to center field, her fourth of the season.

Winona State brought one run in at the top of the fifth off three singles.

Leading off in the bottom of the fifth, senior Libbie Reichling homered to left field tallying one more run for the Mavericks.

In the top of the sixth, the Warriors tallied two runs off two hits and one Maverick error.

The Mavericks brought two runs in at the bottom of the sixth as O’Neal homered to left center, her fifth of the season and second of the game, followed by another home run by Umhoefer, her sixth of the season and second of the game.

The Warriors rallied back in the top of the seventh bringing two runs in off a two-run homer to right center, cutting the Maverick lead to one run.

Minnesota State closed-out the game with seven runs off seven hits and four errors. O’Neal went 2-for-2 at the plate brining three runners in, while Umhoefer went 2-for-2 bringing two runners in.

Sophomore pitcher Kendra Huettl went the distance allowing six runs off 10 hits while striking out seven, Huettl improves her record to 17-9.

The Mavericks (36-14) will battle Metro State tomorrow at 12 p.m. (MST) in the championship round.  Minnesota State must defeat Metro State twice to advance to superregionals.

To view game stats, click HERE