Photo credit: photos.paap.net

CLERMONT, Fla. ---- The No. 1 Minnesota State softball team downed Holy Family, 8-5, and Concordia College – New York, 10-1, Monday evening at the Spring Games.

In game one, Minnesota State mastered Holy Family (0-3), 8-5. Sophomore Caitlin Stone (3-1) earned the win tossing a game-high three strikeouts in 4.0 innings. Freshman Mackenzie Ward started the contest and posted one strikeout, while freshman Lexi Schoper appeared for two frames with one strikeout. Heather Boltersdorf takes the loss with one strikeout in 2.2 innings of action.

Holy Family jumped out to a quick 3-0 edge in the first frame. Minnesota State responded the bottom half of the inning cutting the deficit to one, 3-2, with scores from senior Jessica Meidl and sophomore Carly Esselman. The Tigers answered to push their lead back up to 5-2 notching runs in the second and third frames.

Minnesota State fought back to pull within one, 5-4, after freshman Hannah McCarville connected on a RBI to score freshman Julia Bastian in the third stanza. The Mavericks continued to apply pressure after Meidl delivered a two RBI single sending junior McKenzie Paap and McCarville across to make the score 7-5 in the fifth inning. Minnesota State tacked on an insurance run later in the frame, 8-5, following a sacrifice RBI ground out from Esselman.

Meidl paced the Mavericks with two hits, two runs, and two RBI. Bastian also added two runs and two hits. Minnesota State held the advantage in hits, 12-10.

In game two, Minnesota State rolled past Concordia College – New York (1-3), 10-1, in five innings. Sophomore Bria Majeski (4-0) earns the win allowing four hits in 4.0 innings of work. Ward pitched the final inning for the Mavericks allowing no hits. Senior Sara Ross takes the loss for the Clippers (0-2) giving up 10 hits.

Concordia College – New York struck first jumping out a 1-0 lead in the opening frame with a score from senior Cassidy Gorgo. Freshman Torey Richards answered for the Mavericks locking the contest, 1-1, in the second frame with an unearned run following an error.

Following a scoreless third inning, Minnesota State then unleashed a nine-run fourth inning to put the game out of reach. The stanza was highlighted by a two RBI double from Meidl allowing Paap and sophomore Kennedy Rieck to score. It was her team-leading seventh double of the season. Minnesota State went on to close out the final inning to earn its second straight win, 10-1.

Richards fueled Minnesota State with a game-high three hits which included a single, double and triple. The infielder also added three runs and one RBI to her stat line. Meidl contributed two hits and two RBI, while Bastian added a game-best three RBI.

Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow against No. 13 Southern Indiana at 8:00 a.m., before taking on Saint Rose at 1:00 p.m. (CST)