Photo credit: photos.paap.net

ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- The No. 20 Minnesota State softball team fell short against Minnesota Duluth, 9-4, and, 12-4, Sunday evening at the Husky Dome.

In game one, Minnesota Duluth (25-8, 7-3 NSIC) bested Minnesota State (24-10, 5-5 NSIC), 9-4. Freshman pitcher Mackenzie Ward (10-4) pitched a complete game with a game-high three strikeouts in the loss. Sophomore Breanna Swint (13-2) also tossed a complete game with two strikeouts in the win for the Bulldogs.

Junior McKenzie Paap got things started for Minnesota State in the first frame with a single up the middle and would later score the first run of the day, 1-0, on a wild pitch. Following a scoreless second inning, Minnesota Duluth erupted for a five-run third frame which included a three RBI home run by sophomore Lauren Oberle.

Minnesota State responded in the bottom half of the third inning posting three runs to cut the deficit down to one, 5-4. The frame was highlighted by a two RBI single up the middle from sophomore Amber Kral which scored senior Jessica Meidl and Paap. The Mavericks then went scoreless for the rest of the contest as Minnesota Duluth notched two runs in the fourth and sixth innings to put the game out of reach. 

Paap set the pace for Minnesota State with a game-high three stolen bases, three hits and two runs. Meidl also contributed two hits, two stolen bases and one run. Minnesota State totaled nine hits as team, while Minnesota Duluth notched 14.

In game two, the Bulldogs posted six runs in the third inning to down the Mavericks, 12-4, in five innings. Sophomore pitcher Caitlin Stone (8-2) takes the loss for Minnesota State with a team-best two strikeouts over 2.1 innings. Sophomore Bria Majeski also saw 2.2 innings of action. Junior Valerie Hohol (10-4) picks up the win for Minnesota Duluth with four strikeouts.

After two scoreless innings to open the contest, Minnesota Duluth tallied six runs in the third inning to open a 6-0 advantage. The Mavericks pushed two runs across in the bottom half with scores from Paap and Meidl to cut the deficit down to four, 6-2. However, the Bulldogs responded with a five-run fourth frame to increase their edge to 11-2. Minnesota State could not get any closer and went on to drop the contest in five innings, 12-4.

Meidl posted a team-high two runs with two hits and one stolen base. Freshman Hannah McCarville also contributed two hits, while sophomore Carly Esselman chipped in one hit and three RBI. The Mavericks totaled eight hits as a team in comparison to the Bulldogs 12.

Minnesota State returns to action at Winona State on Wednesday. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.