ST. CLOUD, Minn.  ---  The Minnesota State softball team picked up wins over Nebraska-Kearney, 2-0, and Wisconsin-Parkside, 12-3, Sunday afternoon at the Regional Crossover / Kelly LAAS Memorial Invite. 

In game one, the Mavericks grinded out a 2-0 win over Nebraska-Kearney. Junior Libby Bemis picked up the win after pitching all seven innings while retiring seven batters and giving up only one hit. Sara Sempek takes her first loss of the season after pitching all seven innings while recording three strikeouts and giving up three hits in the process. 

McKenzie Paap got the Mavericks in the scoring column after being walked and stealing second and then advancing to third after a Jess Meidl ground out to second base. Paap was then able to score on an illegal pitch to make the score, 1-0, after one inning of play. 

Following three scoreless innings, Minnesota State found its second run of the game in the fifth inning, 2-0, after Paap singled up the middle for a RBI sending Carly Esselman home. The Lopers made a late push to tie the game in the bottom seventh inning after leaving two runners stranded on base after a ground out to first base to end the game. 

In game two, the Mavericks cruised past Wisconsin-Parkside, 12-3. Senior pitcher Coley Ries earned the win as she pitched five innings and struck out seven batters while giving up two hits. Allison Hausl picked up the loss after giving up 10 hits in two innings. 

Meidl connected on a RBI single to right field sending Paap home for the games first run. The Mavericks then increased their lead to 3-0 in the second inning after a Ashley Thell RBI single to center field allowing Paap to score. 

Minnesota State took control of the game in the third inning building a 10-0 lead after Samantha Buhmann was able to score an unearned run following an error at second base. In the fourth inning, the Mavericks added two more runs, 12-0, after Caitlin Stone stole home. The Rangers found three runs in the fifth inning to make the score 12-3 but would not be able cut the lead down any further as the Mavericks went on to pick up their fourth win of the season. 

Following the wins, Minnesota State improves to 4-0 on the season. The Mavericks return to action on Feb. 17 against Harding at the UAM 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. First pitch is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.