Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Mankato, Minn.— Eighth-ranked Minnesota State (42-8, 23-3 NSIC) used a sweep over Northern State to solidify its first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season title. The Mavericks beat the Wolves 2-1 and 5-0 Monday to take the no.1 overall seed in the NSIC tournament.

MSU used a six hit performance to take game one of the series. The Mavericks scored a run in the third inning when senior outfielder Melanie Upchurch singled, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, moved to third on an illegal pitch before sophomore catcher Lindsay Erickson singled down the right field line to score Upchurch. Lindsay Erickson was 2-for-2 with a walk in the contest.

The game-winning run was scored in the bottom of the fifth by Lauryn Morris. The junior outfielder Morris knocked a two-out double before advancing to third on a passed ball. Senior outfielder Chelsea Erickson roped her in on a double to centerfield to put MSU up 2-0.

The Wolves tallied a run in the sixth from a double followed by a single. The run marked the first senior pitcher Kendra Huettl gave up after 35 consecutive shutout innings. Huettl was able to close out the game, marking her 20^th win of the season with eight strikeouts.

The Mavericks used nine hits in the second game to secure the 5-0 win with Chelsea Erickson paving the way going 2-for-3  from the plate and three RBI.

In the third inning, senior infielder Amanda Umhoefer walked to start the inning and moved up a base on Upchurch’s bunt single. Lindsay Erickson singled to score Umhoefer before Chelsea Erickson knocked in Upchurch on a single to spark a 2-0 lead.

The Mavericks added two more runs in the fifth when Upchurch walked and Chelsea Erickson hit a two-run homer. Chelsea Erickson’s home run was her team-leading tenth of the season.

MSU freshman designated player Chelsea Riordan took first on a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning that was followed by an Umhoefer bloop single. Upchurch singled to score Eryn Edgerton, who pinch ran for Riordan, for the final run of the game.

Junior pitcher Courtney McKelvogue went seven innings for the Mavericks, giving up two hits and striking out seven for her 19^th win of the season.

No. 8 Minnesota State faces Wayne State in the first round of the NSIC Tournament on Thursday at 1 p.m., in Rochester, Minn.

To view the entire NSIC Tournament schedule, click HERE.