Photo Credit: photos.paap.net

DULUTH, Minn. --- The #18 Minnesota State softball team split on the road at Minnesota Duluth, 4-0, and, 5-8, Saturday afternoon at Junction Ave Field.

The Mavericks move to 30-6 overall, and have an 8-2 NSIC record while the Bulldogs move to 26-10 overall, and 10-2 in NSIC play on the season. 

In game one, Minnesota State blanked Minnesota Duluth, 4-0. Senior pitcher Coley Ries (16-2) earns the win after throwing a complete game with 14 strikeouts while allowing two hits. Sam Hartman (11-4) takes the loss after pitching 5.0 innings with two strikeouts. 

Freshman Amber Kral stole momentum early as she launched a two run RBI home run to center field to take the early, 2-0, advantage. It was her 10th home run of the season which leads the NSIC. Following a scoreless second inning, senior Samantha Buhmann delivered her second home run of the season with a shot to left field extending the lead to 3-0. 

In the top of the fifth inning Minnesota State added its fourth run of game, 4-0, after Kral singled to center field allowing senior Ashley Thell to get home. After a scoreless sixth inning, the Bulldogs attempted a late rally to load the bases but Ries pitched the Mavericks out the jam to secure the 4-0 victory. 

Minnesota State registered 11 hits and no errors. Buhmann led the Mavericks with a game-high three hits while Kral posted two hits and game-best three RBI. 

In game two, Minnesota State dropped an 8-5 decision at Minnesota Duluth. Junior Libby Bemis (14-4) picks up the loss after throwing five strikeouts in four innings of work. Valerie Hohol (10-1) earns the win with one strikeout over four innings. 

The Bulldogs struck first with a RBI single to the short stop to take a 1-0 advantage in first inning. After a scoreless second stanza, the Minnesota Duluth offense erupted with six runs including a three run RBI triple to increase its lead to 7-0. 

The Mavericks retaliated in the fourth inning as Thell went deep with her fourth home run of the season, 7-1. Minnesota State continued to find offense in the fifth inning adding four runs including a junior Jess Meidl three run RBI home run -seventh of the season- and Thell scoring an unearned run to pull within two, 7-5. The Bulldogs added a run in the bottom half of the inning to stretch its advantage to 8-5 and put the game out reach. 

The Mavericks posted seven hits and one error in the loss. Meidl set the pace with three RBI and two hits. 

Minnesota State will return to action tomorrow at St. Cloud State. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.