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Mankato, Minn.—Ninth-ranked Minnesota State (40-7, 20-2 NSIC) extended its winning streak to six games Tuesday as it earned a pair of 2-0 victories over St. Cloud State (20-28, 6-16 NSIC) at the Diamond at Gage Towers. With the two shutout wins, the Mavericks have shut out opponents in 43-straight innings.
MSU senior pitcher Kendra Huettl pitched a one-hitter in the opening game with 11 strikeouts. Huettl gave up a hit to the lead-off hitter to open the game and then retired 20 straight batters en route to her 18th win of the season. Huettl has won her last ten decisions and stands 8-0 in NSIC action.
The Mavericks outhit the Huskies 8-1 in the first
game of the doubleheader.
In the third inning, senior outfielder Melanie Upchurch singled before being tossed out at home on juniorLauryn Morris’ double to left center field. Sophomore Lindsay Erickson ripped a double down the right field line to score Morris, giving MSU the 1-0 lead. Lindsay Erickson was 2-for-3 with two doubles in the contest.
Minnesota State added a run in the fourth off two hits. Senior infielder Amanda Umhoefer and sophomore outfielder Eryn Edgerton singled to start inning. Both runners moved a base on a ground out before Umhoefer scored on a passed ball when Morris struck out swinging to finalize the 2-0 win.
In game two, both pitchers had a no-hitter going after three innings before SCSU ripped a double in the top of the fourth. MSU junior pitcher Courtney McKelvogue was able to hold the Huskies to one hit until the seventh when SCSU earned two hits. McKelvogue’s three-hit shutout was her 18th win of the season as she struck out eight batters in the nightcap.
MSU freshman Brittani Robinson walked to start the fifth inning before junior Abby Sonner pinch ran and stole second base. The Mavericks earned their first hit of the game when freshman Chelsea Riordan tagged an RBI single through the left side of the infield so score Sonner.
Morris doubled to lead off the sixth inning for Minnesota State and advanced to third on Lindsay Ericksons single to center. Senior Chelsea Erickson hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field to score Morris for the Mavericks final run of the game.
Minnesota State outhit St. Cloud State 4-3 in the second game to earn its 19th win in 20 games.
The No.9 Mavericks return to action Saturday when it will face U-Mary at 1 p.m., at the Diamond at Gage Towers in Mankato, Minn.
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