Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Savage, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team (18-6, 3-1 NSIC) continued conference play as it swept Minnesota, Crookston (2-13, 1-3 NSIC), by scores 3-1 in the first contest and 19-0 in five innings in the second game of the day earning its second and third wins on the circuit.
 
The Mavericks got things going in the first inning of the first game, as freshman Tatum Klein, the leadoff batter, singled and eventually crossed home plate with a single from junior Lindsay Erickson, who earned the RBI.
 
The Golden Eagles would quickly respond in the top of the second inning, with a lead-off homerun off of the bat of junior Ashley Manusos, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie. Manusos’ run proved to be the lone UMC run of the day.
 
Minnesota State pulled ahead in the sixth inning as senior Lauryn Morris got things started for the Mavericks, reaching first base on a walk, Erickson singled advancing Morris. Junior Samantha Holien hit a hard liner to the third baseman, reaching on an error. Freshman Emily Bransky pinch ran for Erickson with senior Abby Sonner stepping into the batters box. Sonner singled, scoring two runs, bringing the game to 3-1 in favor of MSU.
 
Senior pitcher Courtney McKelvogue went all seven innings in the circle in the first game for the Mavericks giving up one run on three hits, while recording 10 strikeouts.
 
Offensively MSU was led by Erickson who recorded two hits in three at-bats with one RBI, while Sonner recorded one hit in three at-bats with 2 RBI.
 
The Mavericks wasted no time putting runs on the board in the second game of the day, tallying two runs in the first inning as Morris and Klein each crossed home plate with Erickson and Sonner earning the RBI.
 
MSU continued its hot offensive streak in the bottom of the second inning, scoring six runs, bringing the score to 8-0 in favor of the Mavericks after two complete. Morris, Erickson, Holien, freshman Laura Milligan, and juniors Anna Cole and Kelly Wood all scored in the inning.
 
The Mavericks were able to score another six runs in the third inning and five runs in the fourth inning, including a three run shot by Holien to put the game out of reach for the Golden Eagles.
 
Sophomore Brittany Lauterbach was credited with the win, she went four innings and gave up two hits while striking out five batters. Senior Jenna Peterson pitched an inning in relief and gave up one hit and struck one batter out.
 
Holien led the Maverick offensive charge, recording two hits in three at bats with three runs and seven RBI. Freshman Mandi Mauch and sophomore ChelseaRiordan each recorded two RBI of their own.
 
The Mavericks will return to action tomorrow, as they square off against Bemidji State, in the Savage Sports Center, in Savage, Minn. first pitch is slated for 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
 
 
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