Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State junior centerfielder Chelsea Erickson hit a two-out, three-run home run to break a scoreless tie and propel MSU to a 6-0 win over Wayne State in the NCAA Central Region-2 Subregional Saturday afternoon at the Diamond at Gage Towers.

“My first at-bat I saw 15 pitches so I was ready for her (Goetzinger),” said Erickson. “The ball felt good leaving the bat.”

The Mavericks opened the top of the first with a leadoff single by junior Melanie Upchurch. Upchurch moved to second on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of sophomore leftfielder Lauryn Morris to give the Mavericks their first runner in scoring position.

Wayne State pitcher Katie Goetzinger worked out of the jam however as she got a flyball and a ground ball to get out of the inning unscathed.

The Wildcats opened the bottom of the first with a leadoff double to left-centerfield by rightfielder Aeriell Earlywine. A passed ball moved Earlywine to third before MSU starter – junior Kendra Huettl – used a flyout and a groundout to register a pair of outs.

WSC first baseman Jen Radley was hit by a pitch and designated player Hannah Engelkamp walked to load the bases before Huettl got leftfielder Rachel Dukich to popup to third to end the inning without any damage.
In the top of the second inning, Chelsea Erickson won a 15-pitch at bat with a single to left-centerfield before being stranded at first to close the inning.

Wayne State threatened again in the bottom of the second as they put runners on second and third before Huettl got a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.

Senior third baseman #Julie O’Neal hit a one-out doubled to left-centerfield in the top of the fourth before being replaced by sophomore Eryn Edgerton#.

After Goetzinger got freshman designated player Lindsay Erickson to strikeout, freshman catcher Kelly Wood was hit by a pitch Chelsea Erickson blasted a two-run home run over the left field fence – her ninth of the year – to give MSU a 3-0 advantage.

The Mavericks added three more runs – all with two outs in the top of the sixth. Lindsay Erickson started the rally with a single to left and moved to second when Wood was hit by a pitch.

After Lindsey Erickson was replaced by sophomore pinch runner Chelsie Krull, Chelsea Erickson singled to second base to load the bases.

Sophomore shortstop Abby Sonner then emptied the bases with a double to right-centerfield staking the Mavericks to a 6-0 lead through five and a half innings.

Wayne State threatened to cut the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Engelkamp and Dukich reached on an error and an infield hit to open the inning.

Huettl would strikeout pinch-hitter Dani Sandel and Brittany Greenwood before getting Sloan Masters to groundout, keeping the shutout intact.

Huettl finished went the distance in the win, allowing no runs on seven hits while striking out six The junior righthander stranded ten Wildcats on the basepaths en route to the victory. Huettl improves to 29-6 with the win.

Cheslea Erickson finished the game 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and a home run.

With the win, MSU moves to 50-12, establishing a new single-season record for victories. The Mavericks advance to Sunday’s championship game against the winner of the 5 p.m., elimination game.

To view the game stats, click HERE
Watch the postgame press conference: