The first two innings MSU and SMSU each recorded one hit in the defensive battle.

 

In the top of the third, the Mustangs scoring threat had a runner on second and two outs when Minnesota State first baseman Natalie Spicer made a leaping catch over first base.

 

The Mustangs couldn’t execute a one-out squeeze play in the top of the fourth as SMSU left the bases full at the end of the inning.

 

Sophomore shortstop Abby Sonner started the fifth inning driving a ball to left center for a single. Junior second baseman Amanda Umhoefer sacrifice bunted Sonner to second base. Two groundball outs retired the Mavericks in the fifth.

 

The Mavericks centerfielder Chelsea Erickson doubled to lead off the bottom seventh inning. Sonner demolished a ball off the fence to bring in Erickson to guide MSU 1-0 past MSU.

Minnesota State Junior pitcher Kendra Huettl pitched the complete seven innings. Huettl gave up six hits in her seven-inning complete game shutout.

 

Thirteenth-Ranked Minnesota State (45-11) plays Minnesota Duluth at 2:30 p.m. at Sherman Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.