Colorado Springs, Colo. – The second-seeded Minnesota State softball team concluded its suspended game against third-seeded rival Winona State Saturday morning, with the Mavericks earning a 12-3 victory in six innings.

Yesterday, the Mavericks opened up a 2-0 advantage before the Warriors brought two runs in at the top of the fourth before the game was suspended in the top of the fourth due to continuous rain at 2-2.

The Mavericks came out strong finishing the Warriors run in the top of the fourth before junior Julie O’Neal hit a single advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Amanda Umhoefer drilled a home run to right center, her fourth of the season, bringing two runs in for the Mavericks.

 The Warriors brought one run in off a home run to center field in the top of the fifth to close-in on the Maverick’s lead by one.

Minnesota State rallied back in the bottom of the fifth with four runs off six hits as junior first basemen Natalie Spicer set the tone hitting a home run to left field, her sixth of the season, bringing one run in. Senior catcher Kelsey Thompson hit a single to left center before sophomore Chelsea Erickson homered to left field bringing two more runs in. O’Neal and freshman Katie Kruse both hit singles before advancing to second and third on an illegal pitch. Freshman Abby Sonner singled to center field bringing one run in.  

The Mavericks finished the game in the bottom of sixth as senior shortstop Libbie Reichling led off with a single to left center, Thompson singled down the left field line followed by a single through the left side by Erickson before O’Neal hit a walk-off grand slam to close-out the game with a nine-run advantage.

O’Neal led the Mavericks at the plate going 4-for-4, bringing four runners in. Minnesota State had 12 runs off 16 hits and no errors.

Redshirt freshman pitcher Courtney McKelvogue went the distance allowing only three runs off four hits, while striking out six Warrior batters. McKelvogue improves her record to 19-4.

Minnesota State added six home runs breaking last year’s single-season home run record of 48. The Mavericks now sit with 51 home runs on the season.

The Mavericks (35-13) will play again at 3 p.m. (Mountain Time) today, against Metro State.

To view game stats, click HERE 

To view Livestats for game against Metro State click HERE