Photo credit: photos.paap.net

CLERMONT, Fla. ---- The No. 9 Minnesota State softball team came up short against Wilmington, 9-4, before downing Seton Hill, 7-4, at the NTC Spring Games.

In game one, Minnesota State (16-3) fell short against Wilmington (7-5), 9-4, snapping the Mavericks four-game win streak. Freshman pitcher Mackenzie Ward (6-2) takes the loss giving up four hits in 1.2 innings. Sophomore Caitlin Stone tossed a team-best two strikeouts in 3.1 innings, while sophomore Bria Majeski appeared in the final inning. Freshman Makayla McCarthy (3-3) earns the win for the Wildcats with one strikeout in a complete game.

Wilmington got off to fast start posting two runs in each of the first two frames to make the score 4-0 after two. Following a scoreless third inning, Minnesota State pulled back within one, 4-3, after senior Jessica Meidl connected on a single down the right side allowing junior McKenzie Paap to score. However, the Wildcats responded with a three-run bottom half to stretch their lead up to 7-3 after four complete innings.

Wilmington continued to apply pressure in the fifth frame pushing two more runs across, 9-3, following a two RBI single from freshman Lauren Lopez. The game then went scoreless in the sixth inning and the Mavericks left one stranded on base. Sophomore Carly Esselman attempted to get a rally started in the final frame launching her first home run of the season to right field. However, the Mavericks could not get any closer and went on to drop the contest, 9-4.

Esselman contributed a team-best two hits with one run and one RBI. Paap also notched a team-high two RBI with one hit and one run. The Wildcats held the advantage in hits, 9-7.

In game two, Minnesota State downed Seton Hill (5-5), 7-4. Stone (5-1) earned the win for the Mavericks with three strikeouts over 2.2 innings. Majeski totaled a game-high and season-best six strikeouts over 4.1 innings. Junior Devyn Terry (3-3) picks up the loss for the Griffins with two strikeouts.

Senior Ashley Perillo got Seton Hill on the scoreboard with an RBI single to left field making the score 1-0 in the opening frame. Following a scoreless second and third inning, the Mavericks stole the lead, 3-1, with a three-run fourth frame. Freshman Torey Richards got the inning started with a two RBI triple down the left field line. Freshman Julia Bastian added a RBI single to close out the frame for Minnesota State.

Seton Hill responded to push three runs across in the fifth inning to regain the edge, 4-3. Esselman answered for the Mavericks with a three RBI home run shot to left center making the score 6-4. One frame later, Minnesota State added an insurance run in the sixth after Paap got home to seal the 7-4 win.

Esselman paced Minnesota State with a game-best four RBI to go along with one hit and one RBI. Richards also added two RBI, two hits, and one run.   

Minnesota State returns to action on March 16 against Missouri Southern State at 12:00 p.m., and Central Oklahoma at 4:00 p.m., at the Missouri Western Apple Market Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo.