Clermont, Fla. --- The Minnesota State softball team kept things rolling on Day 2 at The Spring Games in Clermont, Fla., as it picked up two more wins on Sunday afternoon against Saint Joseph's [Ind.] and Saginaw Valley State. MSU defeated SJC in game one, 6-1, before taking down SVSU in game two of the day, 7-2.

In the first game against St. Joseph's [Ind.] sophomore pitcher Libby Bemis [3-1] continued her dominance from Saturday's game. Bemis earned the win as she tossed a six inning performance after allowing just three hits and fanned eight SJC batters. Senior Katie Koponen came in relief of Bemis in the seventh and closed out the game for the Mavericks.

The Puma's pitcher Morgan Akre [0-2] suffered the loss as she pitched in three innings and gave up seven hits and two earned runs against the Mavericks.

SJC got on the board first in the game as it pushed across its lone run right away in the first inning. The damage could have actually been far worse for Bemis and the Mavericks, as the Puma's had the bases loaded with one out. However one run was all SJC could manage because Bemis struck out the next two batters she faced to close out the top half of the first.

MSU scored all of its runs in the game in the third and fifth innings. In the third, freshman McKenzie Paap got things started for MSU as she began with a lead-off double. Next up for the Mavericks was junior Dana Mogren and she laced a RBI double to bring Paap across the plate to tie the score at 1-1. A couple of batters later, sophomore Jess Meidl kept the double's theme going as she ripped a two-base hit of her own that brought home Mogren from second. Meidl eventually advanced to third after a throwing error from SJC's left fielder on the same play. Meidl didn't stay at third too long though, as freshman Cori Kennedy grounded out to the shortstop which was enough for Meidl to race home for MSU's third run of the inning.

In the fifth inning the Mavericks pushed across three more runs. The inning was highlighted by seniors Karli DesLauriers and Tatum Klein as each one recorded RBI triples to help extend MSU's lead to 6-1.

In game two against Saginaw Valley State, junior pitcher Coley Ries [5-3] also left off where she did in Saturday's game. Ries pitched another impressive complete game performance, as she allowed zero earned run and struckout nine Cardinals batters.

Pitching for SVSU was Sarah Vrabel [0-1] as she pitched in six innings and allowed eight Maverick hits and six earned runs.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first two innings, before SVSU recorded the first run of the game in the bottom of the third. Becky Corbett crossed the plate for the Cardinals after a throwing error committed by MSU.

The Mavericks answered right back in the top of the fourth as they tied the game back up at 1-1. McKenzie Paap began the inning with a lead-off single and eventually stole second base. Dana Mogren was due up next for MSU and she laid down a sac bunt to move Paap over to third. Junior Samantha Buhmann then grounded out to the second basemen but that was enough for Paap to cross the plate. 

In the fifth inning the Mavericks scored one more run to give them their first lead of the game at 2-1. Karli DesLauriers belted a RBI double down the left field line to bring home pinch runner Ashley Thell from second.

Going into the sixth inning the score still stood at 2-1 with MSU leading, before the Mavericks poured in five runs in the sixth inning to open up the game. Mogren led off the sixth with a triple to right field and eventually scored after a throwing error from the Cardinals. Later in the inning Jess Meidl singled up the middle that brought home sophomore Alyssa Rickels. Couple of batters later DesLauriers grounded out to the shortstop and was able to record a RBI as Meidl came home from third. MSU scored its last two runs of the game after a couple of throwing errors from SVSU.

On the day, Jess Meidl was almost unstoppable as she batted 6-of-7 from the plate, including two doubles and was also able to record three runs scored, three stolen bases and two RBI. Karli DesLauriers led the Mavericks on the day with three RBI, as she batted 3-of-6 from the plate, including one double and one triple. Dana Mogren added three hits as well on Sunday, while Tatum Klein accumulated two RBI and two stolen bases.

With the two wins, MSU's overall record improves to 8-4, as it has won its last five games played.

The Mavericks will return to action bright an early Monday morning as they will take on Lees-McRae and Northwood at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., respectively.

 
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