Photo Credit: Paap.photos.net

MANKATO, Minn. --- The #23 Minnesota State softball team opened Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play with a sweep of Concordia-St. Paul Tuesday afternoon at the MSU Softball Diamond.

Following today's games the Mavericks improve to 24-4 overall and 2-0 NSIC on the season.

In game one, the Mavericks downed the Golden Bears, 4-1. Senior Pitcher Coley Ries (12-2) threw a complete game striking out 12 batters while only allowing two hits. Samantha Sullivan (4-5) takes the loss for the Golden Bears while pitching six innings.

Minnesota State got things going in the bottom of the second inning after jumping out to a 1-0 lead off of a Dana Mogren single to score Amber Kral. Later in the inning, Samantha Buhmann contributed the second Maverick run to take a 2-0 edge.

Concordia-St. Paul answered in the top of the third with a solo home run off the bat of Sarah Kivisto cutting the deficit to 2-1.  The Mavericks retaliated in the bottom of the third when McKenzie Paap scored on a sacrifice fly off from Ashley Thell to stretch the lead to 3-1.  

A pitcher's duel ensued for the next two innings until the bottom of the sixth inning as Minnesota State added its fourth run after a Cori Kennedy single to send Carly Esselman home, 4-1.

The Mavericks ended the game with six total hits while Mogren posted a team-best two hits and one RBI.

In game two, Minnesota State topped Concordia-St. Paul, 4-2. Junior Libby Bemis (12-2) pitched a complete game adding five strikeouts. Linzy Heim (4-7) picked up the loss for the Golden Bears with five strikeouts.  

After a scoreless first couple of innings, the Mavericks finally cracked the game open in the bottom of the third as Buhmann reached on a fielder's choice with bases loaded which scored Thell and Jess Meidl, 2-0. In the top of the fourth, Esselman was able to add a run after stealing third and then getting home following a wild throw to expand the lead to 3-0.

The Golden Bears loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning but Bemis was able to work out of the jam without allowing any runs. Concordia St. Paul attempted to rally in the top of the sixth with a two-run home run by Kivisto to pull within a run, 3-2. Paap responded with an RBI single to send Esselman home in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out reach, 4-2.

The Mavericks ended game two with seven hits. Paap and Esselman each recorded a team-high two hits each.  

Minnesota State will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Augustana. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.