Photo credit: photos.paap.net

WINONA, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team dropped both ends of a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader to No. 10 Winona State, 6-5, and, 8-0, at Maynard R. Johnson Field Thursday afternoon.

In game one, Winona State (30-4, 9-1 NSIC) slid by Minnesota State (24-12, 5-7 NSIC), 6-5, in nine innings. Freshman pitcher Mackenzie Ward (10-6) takes the loss for the Mavericks and totaled a game-high five strikeouts in a complete game. Senior McKenna Larson (10-3) earns the win for the Warriors with four strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work.

Freshman Julia Bastian started the scoring for the Mavericks, 1-0, after getting across following a single off the bat of sophomore Kennedy Rieck. One inning later, Winona State pushed two runs across to claim its first lead of the day, 2-1. Minnesota State responded with a three run fourth frame to regain the edge, 4-2. The inning was highlighted by a two RBI single from sophomore Carly Esselman scoring junior McKenzie Paap and freshman Courtney Potter.

Junior Lani Van Zyl answered for the Warriors with a three RBI home run to left field to make the score 5-4 in the fifth inning. Minnesota State rallied in the seventh frame to lock the contest, 5-5, after Rieck drilled a single up the middle to score Bastian. However, sophomore Katelyn Kolb scored the walk-off run to seal the win for Warriors in the bottom of the ninth inning, 6-5.

Esselman and Rieck each totaled three RBI and two hits, while senior Jessica Meidl also added two hits and one RBI. The Mavericks notched 17 hits as a team in comparison to the Warriors' eight.

In game two, Winona State used a five run fifth inning to down Minnesota State, 8-0, in five innings. Sophomore Caitlin Stone (8-2) got the start for the Mavericks and posted one strikeout in three innings of action. Freshman Lexi Schoper also appeared for 1.2 innings. Sophomore Jordyn Kleman (12-1) picked up the win for the Warriors with a game-high seven strikeouts in a complete game.

After a scoreless opening two innings of action, Winona State jumped out a 2-0 advantage after freshman Carly Kordich and Kolb came across for runs. The Warriors then increased their lead to 3-0 in the fourth frame after freshman Kristina Ahlers notched a score.

The Warriors put the contest out of reach with a five run fifth inning on six hits. Kordich sealed the win for Winona State with a two RBI single to right field to make the score 8-0.

Esselman set the pace for Minnesota State with a team-best two hits. Freshman Hannah McCarville and Paap also contributed one hit each.

The Mavericks return to action tomorrow against Bemidji State at the West St. Paul Dome in St. Paul, Minn. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.