Mankato, Minn.-- Minnesota State (15-4) walked away with two wins at the Rebel Spring games as it beat #16 C.W. Post 6-1 and Seton Hill 4-2 Thursday. Despite being outhit both games, Minnesota State used its timely hitting to have a big inning in each game.

Minnesota State used its stellar defense to hold the Pioneers eight hits to just one run. In the bottom of the first C.W. Post loaded up the bases with no outs as MSU junior pitcher Courtney McKelvogue struck out the next two batters and forced a pop up to get out of the early jam.

C.W. Post scored its only run of the game in the second inning after Kendall Bright led off the inning being hit by a pitch. Bright was sacrificed to second and eventually brought home by a Krista Palazzo single. The Mavericks struggled to find hits early on, managing just one hit through the first four innings to the Pioneers five hits.   

MSU then broke the game open when it put five runs on the board in the fifth inning. Junior shortstop Abby Sonner reached first on a base rip to start the rally. Sonner reached third when the second baseman made an error on ball off Chelsea Riordan’s bat. MSU junior catcher Liz Doppenberg singled, scoring Sonner moving Riordan to second. Minnesota State freshman outfielder Christina Redd ripped a single that was followed by a two-RBI Melanie Upchurch double. 

Redd was thrown out at home after senior outfielder Chelsea Erickson reached the base path on a fielder’s choice. Upchurch and Erickson both scored on an error by the Pioneer shortstop, giving MSU a 5-1 edge through five innings.

Chelsea Erickson hit a solo homer in the seventh to give Minnesota State a 6-1 victory.

MSU’s McKelvogue went six and one-third innings, giving up eight hits and striking out six. Sophomore pitcher Kristen Fah came in completed the final two outs. 

In game two, Minnesota State used a three-run first inning to jump out early on Seton Hill. Fah started in the circle for game two, lasting six innings and giving up just two runs. 

Upchurch hit her second double of the day to lead off the Mavericks in the bottom of the first. MSU sophomore Lindsay Erickson hit an RBI single to bring home Upchurch. Lindsay Erickson stole second before MSU freshman second baseman Brittani Robinson doubled, scoring Erickson. Robinson marked the third run of the inning as she advanced to third and crossed the dish on two passed balls.

Seton Hill threatened in the top half of the fourth after two singles to start the inning. The Griffins only scored one run as a runner was thrown out at the plate for the second out and a fly ball for the third out. 

Minnesota State freshman pitcher Brittany Lauterbach came in for the seventh inning as Seton Hill tried to make a push in the seventh when they loaded the bases with no outs. Minnesota State got out of the jam giving up just one run, finishing with a 4-2 win for MSU. 

Minnesota State wraps-up it trip in Florida Friday as it is scheduled to play California (Pa.) at 1 p.m. (EST) and Adelphi at 3 p.m. (EST).