Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MSU vs. Simpson Stats | MSU vs. South Dakota Stats
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Kissimmee, Fla. --- The Minnesota State softball team blasted three home runs and swiped seven bases en route to a pair of victories to open its 14-game stay at the 2012 Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla.  The Mavericks opened the day with an 8-5 victory over Simpson College before earning a 4-2 win over South Dakota, an NCAA Division I institution.

In the opener, sophomore catcher #Kelly Wood# blasted a pair of home runs – including a three-run homer in the top of the first inning to open the Maverick scoring attack.  Wood and junior shortstop Abby Sonner each had two hits for Minnesota State in the win to pace MSU at the plate.  The Maverick line-up pounded out 12 hits in all as 17 players saw the field in the win.

Wood’s two home runs marked the first time that a Maverick has hit a pair of home runs in a game since May 15, 2010 when senior second baseman #Amanda Umhoefer# hit a pair of homers against Winona State.

Junior pitcher #Courtney McKelvogue# worked three innings to earn the win as she allowed just one hit and struck out two.

In the nightcap, Minnesota State rallied from a 2-0 deficit after the top of the first to earn the win against the Coyotes.

Junior leftfielder #Lauryn Morris# drew a one-out walk to start the bottom of first and then moved to third when sophomore catcher #Lindsay Erickson# doubled.  Wood followed with a walk to load the bases before freshman second baseman #Brittani Robinson# and senior first baseman #Abby Sonner# drew back-to-back walks to tie the game and chase South Dakota’s starter, Erica Denney.

Sonner then lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield, plating Wood and giving MSU a 3-2 advantage.  Robinson added an insurance run in the bottom of the third with a leadoff home run to conclude the game’s scoring.

Minnesota State senior pitcher #Kendra Huettl# needed just three hits from her offense to secure the win, her sixth of the year.  Huettl went six innings and allowed six hits and a pair of runs while striking out ten.  

Huettl handed the game over to McKelvogue in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded.  McKelvogue recorded three straight strikeouts to shut the door and end the threat to preserve the win.  It marked her first save of the season.

Minnesota State (6-3) returns to action Saturday as it plays Sciences of Philadelphia at 11 a.m. (EST), and Ferris State at 1 p.m. (EST).  Saturday’s games will be played at the Osceola County Softball Complex.