CLERMONT, Fla. --- The Minnesota State softball team went 1-1 on its first day of the College Spring Games Saturday as it defeated Lock Haven 5-0, before falling to Wilmington 4-3 in eight innings. MSU now owns a 5-6 record on the season.

In game one of the day, freshman pitcher Libby Bemis (1-0) would pick up her first career win as a Maverick by throwing a two-hit shutout over Lock Haven. Bemis threw a complete game and struck out nine Bald Eagle batters. Throwing for LHU was senior pitcher Jessie Probst (1-1). Probst took the loss as she gave up nine hits, four walks and two earned runs, while striking out five.

After three innings of scoreless action, the Mavericks would finally push across two runs in the top of the fourth, after some sloppy play from the Bald Eagles. Sophomore Dana Mogren would score the first run of the game after a throwing error by an LHU player. Right after that, MSU would score the second run of the inning, thanks to a sac fly from junior Laura Milligan, as sophomore Molly Sager was able to cross the plate. Both runs of the inning were unearned.

In the top of the fifth, MSU pushed across another run, to put the Mavericks up 3-0 through five. Junior Emily Bransky began the inning with a lead-off single, before stealing second and eventually crossing the plate as junior Tatum Klein brought her home as she posted an RBI-single.

The Mavericks would record one more run in both the sixth and seventh innings to finish up the game. In the sixth, Bransky would single home freshman Alyssa Rickels from third base, while in the seventh sophomore Samantha Buhmann belted an RBI-single up the middle, which scored sophomore Ashley Thell.

For the game, Thell finished the game 3-4 from the plate, while Bransky went 2-3 and notched one run scored, one RBI and one stolen base.?

The Mavericks finished the day with a 4-3 loss to the Wilmington Wildcats in eight innings.

Brooke Lachette (2-1) earned the win as she threw 2.2 innings, while giving up four hits and two runs, one earned. Sophomore Coley Ries (4-5) was saddled with the loss as she gave up four runs, three earned, in eight innings. Ries notched 12 strikeouts, while allowing just two walks.

WU got the scoring going in the top half of the third inning as Miranda Pederson drove in the game's first run with a walk. MSU would not up the score in the bottom of the sixth as Sager drove in freshman Kelly Grove with an RBI-double to left center.

A scoreless seventh inning gave way to extras, with the international tie breaker rule placing runners on second to begin the inning. The Wildcats managed to get runners on second and third, before Pederson notched her second RBI of the game with a single to left. Becca Stanley also notched an RBI-single, before scoring WU's third run of the inning on a wild pitch before the Mavericks recorded the final out of the inning.

The Maverick offense would respond in the bottom of the eight. With one out, Buhmann doubled to right center to plate freshman Jess Meidl. After a ground out moved Buhmann to second, Sager singled up the middle to bring the Mavericks within one of the Wildcats at 4-3 with two outs. An error and an infield single loaded the bases for the Mavericks but Lachette was able to get Bransky to ground out to second base to secure the win for the Wildcats.

Meidl, Buhmann and Sager each recorded two hits in the game, with Sager driving in two RBI.

The Mavericks continue action in the College Spring Games on Sunday as they take on Shippensburg and Ferris State. Game times are scheduled for 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.  


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