ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- Minnesota State and #17 Emporia State carried a pitchers dual into extra innings Friday evening but it was the Hornets that came away with the 2-1 victory in the bottom of the ninth.

With the win, ESU improves to 6-1 on the season, while MSU falls to 2-5.

Both of the team's starting pitchers threw complete games Friday evening. Kaitlyn Caston (3-0) earned the win as she allowed just one run through nine innings, while striking out three. Sophomore Coley Ries (2-4) took the loss as she gave up two unearned runs, while striking out 10 batters.

The scoreboard remained baron in through the first four innings as neither team was able to plate a base runner. After the Mavericks were set down in order in the top of the fifth, Taylor Zordel reached second base via an error with one out. After a single put runners on the corners for ESU, the Mavericks committed their second error of the inning that allowed Zordel to cross the plate to put the Hornets up 1-0.

Heading into the top of the seventh the Mavericks still trailed 1-0. Caston forced a line out for the first out, but sophomore Dana Mogren reached base on an error. Senior Chelsea Riordan then hit into a fielder's choice for the second out. Junior Karli DesLauriers would pinch run for Riodan and advanced to second as sophomore Molly Sager coaxed a walk. Junior Abby Whritenour would then knot up the score at 1-1 as she drove in DesLauriers with an RBI-double.  

The Hornets managed to get the final out on the top of the seventh to keep the score tied at one, but they were unable to get the winning run across the plate as the game headed into extra innings.

The eighth inning saw the international tie breaker rule in effect as both teams had runners placed at second base to start the inning. The Mavericks nearly took the lead in the top of the eighth, but Whritenour was thrown out at the plate as the Hornets held firm in the eighth.

Ries set the side down in order on the bottom of the eighth to force a ninth inning. In the top of the ninth, the Mavericks managed to get runners on second and third with one out but they were unable to get to go ahead run across the plate.

In the bottom of the ninth, Hannah Weingartner was place on second to start the inning before stealing third. Danielle Sprinkle then drove in Weingatner with an RBI-single to secure the win for the Hornets.

The Mavericks wrap up competition at the NSIC/MIAA Crossover on Saturday as they take on Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively.

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