Mankato, Minn.-- The Minnesota State would combine for 13 extra base hits in ten innings Friday afternoon at The Diamond at Gage Towers. MSU would earn 10-1 and 8-0 wins over Minnesota State University Moorhead, with both games ending in five innings.

 

As the Mavericks were the visiting team, junior Melanie Upchurch singled up the middle on the first at bat of the game. Lauryn Morris would walk, putting runners on first and second base.

 

On the next pitch both players stole and the catcher overthrew the third baseman, bring in Upchurch and advancing Morris to third. Senior Natalie Spicer would hit a sacrifice fly to center, bringing in Morris. Junior Chelsea Erickson homered to center field to put the Mavericks up 3-0 after the top of the first inning. This marks Chelsea Erickson's the sixth home run of the season.

 

After a lead-off single, the Dragons doubled to score one run on the first two batters. MSU pitcher junior Kendra Huettl would retire the next 12 MSUM hitters.

 

 Singles by freshman Kelly Wood and sophomore Abby Sonner would put MSU on first and second to start the second inning. Upchurch would hit a one-out double to center field, knocking in Wood. After Morris’ second walk of the game, Spicer would hit a screamer to left field bringing in Sonner. Senior #Julie O’Neal# knocked a double to the fence, earning two RBI when Morris and Upchurch crossed the dish, giving Minnesota State a 7-1  lead after two innings.

 

The Mavericks would pour three more runs on in the top of the fourth,  tallying four doubles in the inning. Spicer started the inning on a one-out double to left field. With two outs, Chelsea Erickson would hit an opposite field double, scoring Spicer. Lindsay Erickson would double and switch places with her sister, Chelsea Erickson, before Sonner doubled down the left field line.

 

Huettl went four innings, giving up two hits and one run, while striking out six in the game. Freshman pitcher Kristen Fah pitched in the fifth inning, giving up one hit and striking out one batter.

 

Chelsea Erickson, Upchurch, Spicer and Sonner all tallied two hits in the game as Spicer and Erickson each had two runs batted in. The junior Upchurch would add two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI in the MSU win.

 

Minnesota State sophomore pitcher Courtney McKelvogue got the 8-0 shutout win in the second game of the doubleheader. In her 14^th win of the season, McKelvogue would earn six strikeouts and give up three hits in her complete game shutout.

 

After two scoreless innings of play, the Mavericks jumped on the board in the third after Amanda Umhoefer used her speed to force a bunt single. Upchurch followed with a blast over the right field wall. The two-run shot put MSU up 2-0 on Upchurch’s first career home run as a Maverick.

 

In the fourth, Minnesota State’s Wood would turn on a ball and roll it down the third baseline for a single. Sonner would touch all the bases when she connected on a two-run shot over left center fence. MSU kept its offensive weapons going as Amanda Umhoefer bunted for her second bunt single of game.  Upchurch hit her fourth double of the season, scoring second baseman Umhoefer. Upchurch would score as Morris layed down a bunt on a one-out squeeze play, giving the Mavericks a 6-0 edge after four innings.

 

Chelsea Erickson and Wood each doubled to start the fifth inning. Wood would be MSU’s last run of the game as the Dragons committed a throwing error, giving MSU an 8-0 lead.

 

The Mavericks tallied 11 hits in both games, without committing an error in either. Upchurch, Wood and Umhoefer would each generate two hits in the game.

 

MSU improves to 29-6 on the season and 6-2 in the NSIC. The Mavericks will continue play tomorrow at 12 p.m., against Minnesota, Crookston at The Diamond at Gage Towers.