Photo credit: photos.paap.net

BEMIDJI, Minn. --- The #14 Minnesota State softball team topped Bemidji State, 14-1, and, 3-2, Saturday afternoon at the BSU Softball Field. 

Minnesota State, 38-6 (16-2 NSIC), earns its seventh NSIC sweep of the season and extends its win streak to eight games. Bemidji State falls to 20-13 overall and 10-8 NSIC on the season. 

In game one, the Mavericks sailed past the Beavers, 14-1. Senior pitcher Coley Ries (20-2) earns the win tossing five strikeouts over 3.0 innings. With the victory, she becomes the Minnesota State all-time wins leader with 98 passing Carri Tschida (1986-89). Rochelle Koshalek (2-5) takes the loss after pitching 1.1 innings and allowing seven hits. 

Minnesota State quickly jumped to a 3-0 advantage following an Amber Kral RBI ground out to second base sending Ashley Thell across. The Mavericks then seized control of the game with an eight run and six hit second inning to increase the lead to 11-0. The stanza was highlighted by an Alyssa Rickels two run RBI single up the middle scoring Carly Esselman and Dana Mogren. 

In the fourth inning, Cori Kennedy blasted her fourth home run of the season to left field making the score 12-0. Kral then followed it up later in the inning with a two run RBI double to left field putting the game out of reach, 14-0. The Beavers posted their lone run in the game in the fifth inning with a RBI triple to right center. 

The Mavericks totaled 13 hits with McKenzie Paap leading the way with a game-high three hits. 

In game two, Minnesota State outlasted Bemidji State, 3-2. Junior pitcher Libby Bemis (18-4) picks up the win after throwing six strikeouts over 4.2 innings pitched. Jessica Yost (17-4) takes the loss after throwing 6 innings with eight strikeouts. 

The Mavericks got on the scoreboard quickly with as Thell connected on a RBI single to send Paap home, 1-0. Minnesota State then added its second run of the inning after Samantha Buhmann singled to left field to get Thell across and make the score 2-0. 

Following a scoreless second and third inning,  Mogren blasted a double to left center which would allow Kral to score an unearned run in the fourth inning, 3-0. Later in the inning, Ries was called upon to make her third save of the season in which she totaled six strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. The Beavers then attempted to make a late rally with a two run RBI double to left field to draw within one, 3-2. However, Minnesota State went on to close out the game and earn the 3-2 win. 

The Mavericks posted five hits with Buhmann setting the standard with a game-best two hits and added one RBI. 

Minnesota State will return to action on Tuesday at Southwest Minnesota State. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.