Photo credit: photos.paap.net

SEARCY, Ark. --- Freshman Amber Kral used a 10th inning home run to propel the #6 Minnesota State softball team past #2 Harding, 1-0, in 10 innings Thursday afternoon at the NCAA Super Regionals. 

With the win, Minnesota State moves to 58-6 on the season and increases its program-best win streak to 28 games. With the loss, Harding falls to 57-8 on the season. The two teams will return to action tomorrow at 12:00 p.m., for game two and an if necessary game three will follow. 

Senior pitcher Coley Ries (35-2) tied Carri Tschida (1986-89) for wins in a season. She tossed 10 strikeouts in 10 innings of work. Freshman Autumn Humes (33-2) takes the loss with seven strikeouts over 10 innings. 

After a scoreless first frame, the Bisons attempted to get a runner on base with a shot from senior Mackenzie Jones to left field but was robbed by sophomore McKenzie Paap into foul territory to end the inning. In the third stanza, Kral made contact on a deep ball to left center only to be caught out on an over the head catch senior Brookelynn Moon. 

Later in the game, the Bisons threatened to get a run on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning as sophomore Peyton Mills hit a single through the left side to break up the no hit bid. However, the Maverick defense held strong to keep the game scoreless. 

Late in the seventh inning, the Bisons ripped a shot to left field that was fielded by Paap who then threw a dart to home allowing sophomore Cori Kennedy to tag out the would be game-winning run at the plate and force extra innings. This was the first time this season the Mavericks played in an extra inning contest. 

After a scoreless eighth and ninth frame, Kral stepped to the plate and delivered the game-winning home run with a shot over the left field fence. It was her 13th long ball of the season which ties Abby Wagner (2006) for the program single season record. The Maverick defense went on to hold on for the last three outs and preserve the 1-0 victory. 

Minnesota State recorded four hits as a team while Harding totaled three. Senior Ashley Thell, Senior Dana Mogren, junior Alyssa Rickels and Kral posted a hit for the Mavericks.