Photo Credit: photos.paap.net

ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- The #18 Minnesota State softball team earned a road sweep of St. Cloud State, 9-4, and, 8-0, Saturday afternoon at the Husky Dome. 

With the wins, the Mavericks improve to 32-6 overall, including a 10-2 NISC record while St. Cloud State falls to 23-15 overall, including a 7-5 NSIC record.  

In game one, Minnesota State dropped St. Cloud State, 9-4. Senior pitcher Coley Ries (17-2) earns the win in six innings of work with eight strikeouts and allowing only one hit. Senior Megan Hedstrom (11-7) takes the loss after pitching six innings with one strikeout. 

The game started with three scoreless innings until the Maverick struck first in the fourth inning with two runs after junior Alyssa Rickels laid down a bunt to send senior Dana Mogren home for the unearned run, 2-0. Minnesota State increased its lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning as senior Samantha Buhmann grounded out to second allowing senior Ashley Thell to score. 

Following a sophomore Cori Kennedy score in the sixth inning, freshman Amber Kral cracked the game open with a three run RBI home run to center field to make score 7-0. It was her NSIC-leading 11th home run of the season. The Mavericks kept their foot on the gas in the seventh inning tacking on two more runs including a Jess Meidl RBI to stretch the edge to 9-0. 

Freshman Bria Majeski then made her eighth appearance of the season to close out the game for the Mavericks. The Huskies attempted to make a late rally with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning including a three run RBI home run but it would not be enough. 

The Mavericks totaled 10 hits as sophomore McKenzie Paap set the standard with a game-high three hits. 

In game two, Minnesota State shutout St. Cloud State, 8-0, in five innings. Junior pitcher Libby Bemis (15-4) picks up the win while recording three strikeouts. Sophomore Kate Kopeck (10-6) picks up the loss tossing one strikeout.

The Mavericks got the scoring started quickly in the first inning as Thell singled up the middle for an RBI to drive in Meidl, 1-0. Minnesota State got its second run across in the second stanza as Rickels connected on a RBI single to left field allowing freshman Carly Esselman to score, 2-0. 

Buhmann allowed the Mavericks to take control of game in the third inning with her two run RBI home run blast to right center to make the score 4-0 . It was her third home run of the season and second of the weekend. 

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Minnesota State put the game out of reach adding four more runs. The fifth inning surge was highlighted by a Meidl RBI double down the left field line which allowed Rickels to score an unearned run, 8-0. 

The Mavericks registered nine hits with Paap and Kral each contributing a team-best two. Additionally, Buhmann notched a game-best two RBI. 

Minnesota State returns home on Wednesday vs. Winona State. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., at the MSU Softball Diamond.