Photo credit: photos.paap.net

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.  --- The #9 Minnesota State softball team topped Winona State, 1-0, to claim the NSIC Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon at Bowden Field. 

Minnesota State (54-6) sets a team record winning its 24th straight game and matches a program high 54 wins. The Mavericks claim their third NSIC Tournament title with wins in 2012 and 2013. Minnesota State will return to action in the NCAA regional next week (May 11-13). The selection show is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., on Monday. With the loss, Winona State drops to 49-11 on the season. 

Senior pitcher Coley Ries (31-2) earns the win tossing a complete game with 10 strikeouts. Freshman Jordyn Kleman takes the loss after 6.0 innings of work and one strikeout. 

Following a scoreless first frame, Winona State got two runners into scoring position in the second inning but the Maverick defense held the game scoreless after recording three straight outs. Freshman Carly Esselman got on base in the bottom half of the second only to be stranded after a ground out to keep the contest deadlocked, 0-0. 

Senior Ashley Thell came up with the game-winning run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a home run blast down the left field line to make the score 1-0. It was her sixth home run of the season. Winona State would only get one more runner on base the rest of way as the Mavericks went on to grind out the 1-0 win. 

Both teams recorded four hits. Sophomore McKenzie Paap set the pace with a team-best two hits. 

Following the game, junior Jess Meidl, Ries, Thell, and Paap were named to the All-Tournament team.