Photo credit: photos.paap.net

MAGNOLIA, Ark. --- Second-seeded Southern Arkansas topped seventh-seeded Minnesota State, 4-3,  in the final round of the NCAA Central Region 2 Tournament at Dawson Field.

With the loss, Minnesota State finishes the season with a 35-19 overall record. Southern Arkansas improves to 55-9 and advances to the NCAA Super Regionals on May 10-12.

Sophomore right handed pitcher Caitlin Stone (9-4) got the start for Minnesota State and tossed two strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work. Freshman Mackenzie Ward finished the final 2.2 innings and chipped in one strikeout. Sophomore Victoria Taylor (30-0) earned the win for Southern Arkansas with nine strikeouts in a complete game.

Senior Brooke Goad started the scoring with a lead-off home run for the Muleriders. It was her 31st home run of the season to make the score 1-0. Following a scoreless second frame, sophomore Carly Esselman blasted her team-leading eighth triple season to the right field wall in the third inning. The shot sent freshman Courtney Potter and sophomore Kennedy Rieck across to give the Mavericks their first lead of the day, 2-1.

Following a scoreless fourth frame, the Muleriders regained the edge, 3-2, after sophomore Faith Otts connected on a 2 RBI double to center field. Ward then checked in for Stone in the circle and the Maverick defense held off two more Mulerider runners to end the fifth inning. Southern Arkansas added a run in the sixth inning after Ward walked a base runner with the bases loaded to increase its edge to 4-2. 

Minnesota State attempted to rally in the seventh inning after freshman Morgan Keim-Wolfe snuck a single by the short stop and junior McKenzie Paap laid down a bunt to get on base. Esselman then drove in Keim-Wolfe with a single up the middle to pull the Mavericks within one, 4-3. However, Minnesota State went on to leave two runners stranded after freshman Torey Richards popped out to end the contest.

As a team, Minnesota State totaled six hits as a team in comparison to Southern Arkansas's seven. Esselman paced the Mavericks with two hits and a game-best three RBI.