MAGNOLIA, Ark. --- Second-seeded Southern Arkansas used a four-run second inning to top seventh-seeded Minnesota State, 9-1, in six innings at the NCAA Central 2 Region Tournament at Dawson Field.

With the loss, Minnesota State (33-18) will now face sixth-seeded Washburn (39-13) tomorrow in an elimination game. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. (CST)

Freshman Mackenzie Ward (19-11) made her 33rd start of the season and picks up the loss for Minnesota State pitching 2.0 innings. Sophomore Bria Majeski finished the contest for the Mavericks with one strikeout in 3.1 innings of work.  Sophomore Victoria Taylor (29-0) also made her 33rd start of the season for the Muleriders and earned the win with seven strikeouts in a complete game.

Southern Arkansas (53-9) started the scoring with a home run from senior Brooke Goad to make the score 1-0. The Muleriders then pushed their lead to 5-0 after posting four runs on four hits in the second frame. Southern Arkansas continued to apply pressure into the third inning after senior Megan Godoyo delivered a RBI double down the left field line extending the edge to 6-0.

Senior Jessica Meidl provided a spark for Minnesota State in the fourth frame with a lead-off home run to right center. The shot was her eighth of the season and got the Mavericks on the scoreboard, 6-1. However, Southern Arkansas tacked on insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings to put the contest out of reach, 9-1.

Meidl led Minnesota State with one run, one hit and one RBI. Freshman Morgan Keim-Wolfe and freshman Courtney Potter also added one hit each to round out the top performers.