ST. JOSEPH, Mo. --- The Minnesota State softball team took part in a pair of low scoring games Saturday afternoon as it shutout Pittsburg State 1-0, before falling to Missouri Southern State 2-1 at the Apple Market Classic. MSU now owns a 14-10 overall record.

MSU began the day with a 1-0 win over the Pittsburg State Gorillas. Sophomore Coley Ries (7-7) picked up the win as she notched her third shutout of the season as she allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out 11 batters. Zoe Price (6-3) was saddled with the loss as she allowed one unearned run, to go along with five hits and five strikeouts.

Ries and Price each carried a shutout heading into the top as the seventh as both teams combined to leave just eight base runners stranded through the first six innings.

In the top of the seventh, freshman Kara Lattery led off the inning with a single and eventually moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Dana Mogren. An infield single by sophomore Molly Sager put runners on the corners, before junior Laura Milligan stole second while pinch running for Sager.   

Senior Chelsea Riordan then reached second base via an error at shortstop that plated Lattery and moved Milligan to third. Price was able to record the final two outs without further damage as the Mavericks carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

The Gorillas managed to get a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh, but the runner was thrown out at second while trying to steal. Ries managed to get the second out with a strikeout but the next two batters would reach on an error in left field and a walk. With runners on first and second and two gone, Ries was able to strikeout Devon McCreath for the final out of the game to secure the win.

MSU finished the day with a 2-1 loss to the Missouri Southern State Lions. Freshman Libby Bemis allowed one run in 5.1 innings pitched, while Ries (7-8) picked up the loss as she gave up one run in 1.2 innings of work in relief. Ashley Lutz (4-7) earned the win in relief as she gave up just one hit in 2.2 innings pitched.

After four and half scoreless innings, the Mavericks plated the game's first run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 1-0 lead. Lattery led off the inning with a single, before junior Karli DesLauriers stole second as a pinch runner. DesLauriers then advanced to third on a fly out to right field. Sager then walked, before Milligan stole second pinch running for Sager. Sophomore Mandi Mauch then reached base via an error by the shortstop that ended up scoring DesLauriers.

In the top of the sixth, the Lions were able to score a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. Both Kathryn Goins and Brooke Swadley recorded RBI-singles to give MSSU the 2-1 lead. MSU managed just one base runner over the next two innings as Lutz closed the door on the Mavericks.

The Mavericks wrap up play in the Apple Market Classic on Sunday as they take on Central Missouri and Emporia State. Game times are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
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