Sioux Falls, S.D.— Minnesota State split with Augustana College in the NSIC tournament championship games Saturday afternoon, taking second-place in the tournament. With the split, MSU improves to 48-12 moving into a tie with the 1987 team for the most wins in school history.

MSU took game one, 6-3, which was guided by a four-run sixth inning to help complete the victory. In game two of the championship, MSU fell 5-4.

The two teams had met three times previously times before today’s games, with Augustana taking all three games.

In game one, Augustana’s Theresa McMahon doubled in the bottom of the first inning and moved to second on a ground ball by Jenny Brown. Viking catcher Elizabeth Murray produced a single down the left field line, scoring McMahon.

Junior pitcher Kendra Huettl started from the circle and pitched four-and-one-third innings, giving up six hits and two runs.

Minnesota State sophomore shortstop Abby Sonner doubled to start the top of the fifth inning before junior second baseman Amanda Umhoefer bunted her to third base.

Junior right fielder Melanie Upchurch's RBI single knocked in Sonner, tying the game at one.

Freshman catcher Kelly Wood doubled to start the top of the sixth inning before being replaced by sophomore pinch runner Chelsie Krull.

Junior centerfielder Chelsea Erickson then hit a rocket off the pitchers leg - to earn a single - and advance Wood to third base.

Krull gave MSU the lead when she scored on a wild pitch by Augustana’s Ashley Meyer.

With two outs, Umhoefer singled up the middle, bringing Erickson home. Umhoefer advanced to third on an Upchurch single, with Upchurch taking second on the throw to third base.

Sophomore leftfielder Lauryn Morris singled past the second baseman to score Upchurch and Umhoefer, expanding the Minnesota State lead to 5-2.

MSU added an insurance run in the seventh inning when freshman designated player Lindsay Erickson ripped a line drive single to center field. Wood moved her to second after grounding out to the pitcher.

Chelsea Erickson hit single past the shortstop, moving her sister to third before she eventually scored on a wild pitch.

The Vikings one run in the seventh wouldn’t be enough to capture the win from MSU.

Sophomore pitcher Courtney McKelvogue earned the win from the circle for Minnesota State as she finished the game going two-and-two-thirds innings, giving up two runs.

In the second game of the championship, Minnesota State scored first as senior third baseman Julie O’Neal singled through the left side of the infield to start the second inning. Wood beat a slow roller down the first base line, which moved O’Neal to third base, where she eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Wood landed on third base after she stole second and moved to third base on the wild pitch which scored O'Neal.

Chelsea Erickson ripped an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Wood and staking MSU to a 2-0 advantage.

The Mavericks tallied two more runs in the third inning. Morris reached on a fielders choice, before she tagged to second base on a deep fly ball to left field. After Morris advanced to third on a passed ball, O’Neal drove her in with a single down the leftfield line.

O’Neal raced around the base paths when Lindsay Erickson doubled to left center field, putting MSU up 4-0 after three innings.

McKelvogue worked the first three innings on the mound, giving up three hits. Huettl came into the game in the fourth inning, pitching for two-and-two-thirds innings, before McKelvogue re-entered in the sixth inning.

McKelvogue pitched a total of three-and-one-third innings, giving up five hits and one run.

Augustana’s Taylor Kapsch had an infield single to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Chelsie Winskowski hit a two-run home run to put the Vikings within two of MSU.

Augustana took its first lead of the day as it attained three runs on three hits in the sixth inning. All three runs came with two outs. After a walk and a single, Elizabeth Murray knocked in two runs on a double to center field. Murray then reached the plate after a Traci Fransen single.

In its last stance, MSU’s Lauryn Morris kicked the seventh inning off with a blooper to left field before being sacrificed to second by senior first baseman Natalie Spicer. The Vikings retired O’Neal on a grounder to the pitcher and caught a long foul ball from Lindsay Erickson to seal the win.

Minnesota State Sonner and Morris each were 4-for-7 in the two games. Huettl, Sonner and Spicer were all named to the NSIC All-Tournament team for their efforts during the tournament.

The Mavericks (48-12) will wait to hear where they land in the NCAA central region rankings. The selection show is Monday at 8 a.m., which the NCAA will announce the regions and who will be hosting each one.The Mavericks are currently second in the region.

For game one stats click HERE

For game two stats click HERE