Vadnais Heights, Minn.— Minnesota State captured a pair of wins inside the Vadnais Sports Center against Concordia Thursday. The Mavericks used the long ball and powerful pitching performances to earn 5-2 and 7-0 victories.

In game one of the double header, MSU jumped out to an early 5-1 lead after two innings of play. Three Mavericks used home runs to jump out early on CU.

In the first inning, MSU’s Lauren Morris ripped a one out single. Morris stole second before Natalie Spicer could knock her in. With two outs, freshman Chelsea Erickson hit a two-run home run to give the Mavericks a 3-1 lead through the first inning.

Two solo home runs in the second inning would give Minnesota State a 5-1 cushion after two. Freshman Kelly Wood hit her third home run of the year, as sophomore Chelsie Krull hit her first long ball of the season. 

Sophomore pitcher Courtney McKelvogue earned 15 strikeouts against the Golden Bears. The two-time NSIC Player of the Week gave up four hits to earn her 12^th victory of the season.

Senior #Julie O’Neal# went 2-for-2 to lead the Mavericks to an eight hit, 5-2 victory over the Golden Bears.

Minnesota State shutout Concordia 7-0 in game two of the doubleheader Thursday afternoon.

In a combined 12 hit performance, the Mavericks broke open the game in the fifth inning. With two outs, junior Amanda Umhoefer hit a single. Upchurch followed with a single before Lauren Morris hit a ball to left field, before the outfielder made an error. O’Neal and Erickson homered to finish the two out rally with five runs.

MSU added two more runs in the fourth inning by Sonner and Umhoefer.

Junior pitcher Kendra Huettl ended with 15 strikeouts, giving up three hits in her seven inning performance.

O’Neal went 3-for-3 with four runs batted in on the game, combining for a 5-for-5 day against Concordia. Upchurch, Umhoefer, Sonner and Lindsay Erickson each tallied two hits in the 7-0 victory.

Minnesota State (23-4) will open NSIC play against Minnesota Duluth Saturday April 2, in Mankato, Minn.