Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 Rochester, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team picked up three crucial regional wins Saturday at the NSIC/RMAC Crossover Challenge held at the RCTC Dome in Rochester, Minn.

The Mavericks opened the day with a pair of 8-0, five-inning wins as they downed Nebraska-Kearney and Adams State. The day ended with a 2-1, walkoff victory over Mesa State.

In Minnesota State’s 8-0 victory over Nebraska Kearney, the Mavericks leaned on the Erickson sisters at the plate. Senior centerfielder Chelsea Erickson and freshman designated player Lindsay Erickson combined to go 6-for-6 from the plate with five runs scored and driven in.

After racing to a 1-0 lead after an inning and a half, MSU used a five-run third inning to break the game open. The inning was cued by a pair of RBI doubles by senior first baseman Natalie Spicer and Lindsay Erickson, while sophomore shortstop Abby Sonner added a two-run single and Chelsea Erickson added an RBI single.

Lindsay Erickson then gave the Mavericks the eight-run cushion it needed to end the game in the top of the fifth as she blasted her first career home run as a Maverick.

Sophomore pitcher Courtney McKelvogue went the abbreviated distance to earn the win as she scattered two hits while striking out nine.

In the day’s middle game, MSU raced to a 3-0 lead after the bottom of the first and cruised to the win. Sonner and Chelsea Erickson both blasted home runs in the win as MSU pounded out eight hits in the victory.

Junior pitcher Kendra Huettl went the abbreviated distance to earn the win, tossing a no-hitter while striking out nine.

In the nightcap, freshman Kelly Wood entered the game to pinch hit for junior rightfielder Melanie Upchurch and singled to centerfield. Upchurch reentered the game as a pinch runner and moved to second on an error off the bat of sophomore leftfielder Lauryn Morris.

Upchurch then stole third before scoring the game winning run when senior third baseman #Julie O’Neal# lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield.

O’Neal and Lindsay Erickson each had two hits to pace the Maverick office. McKelvogue went the distance to secure the win, her third of the year, as she struck out 11 while scattering five hits.

Minnesota State concludes action in the crossover Sunday morning when it plays Mesa State at 10 a.m.

To view the UNK stats, click HERE

To view the Adams State stats, click HERE

To view the CSU Pueblo stats, click HERE