SIOUX FALLS, S.D. ---- Senior Jessica Meidl moved into first place on the MSU all-time games played list as Minnesota State fell short against Southwest Minnesota State, 4-3, before being bounced by St. Cloud State, 2-1, in day one of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament on Thursday.

Meidl appeared in her 241st game as a Maverick to pass Ashley Thell (2014-17) for the top spot on the MSU all-time games played list. The outfielder now ranks first all-time in runs scored (193), stolen bases (110) and games played (242).

In game one, Southwest Minnesota State (16-24) outlasted Minnesota State (33-17), 4-3. Freshman pitcher Mackenzie Ward (19-10) went a complete game and totaled three strikeouts. Sophomore Megan Cull (6-9) tossed a game-high six strikeouts in a complete game.

The Mustangs got the scoreboard first with a RBI single to left field from freshman Bailey Johnson. The shot put Southwest Minnesota State out in front, 1-0. Freshman Julia Bastian responded for the Mavericks getting a single to drop in right field. The hit sent sophomore Amber Kral and freshman Torey Richards home to steal the lead, 2-1.

Southwest Minnesota State then went on to push one across in the third, fourth and seventh innings to reclaim its lead, 4-2. Minnesota State attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh frame as sophomore Kennedy Rieck laced her fifth double of the season to right field scoring Kral and cutting the deficit down to one, 4-3. However, the Mavericks could not get any closer and went on to drop the contest, 4-3.

Bastian led Minnesota State with two hits and a team-high two RBI. Sophomore Carly Esselman also notched two hits with one stolen base, while freshman Morgan Keim-Wolfe also notched two hits. Minnesota State totaled nine hits as a team in comparison to Southwest Minnesota State's eight.

In game two, St. Cloud State (35-18) bounced Minnesota State, 2-1. Ward pitched a complete game with one strikeout over 6.0 innings of work. Junior Bradi Yost (10-2) earned the win for the Huskies with two strikeouts over 7.0 innings.

After a scoreless opening inning, freshman Amanda Moncelle gave St. Cloud State a 1-0 edge with a home run to left center in the second frame. Minnesota State locked the contest, 1-1, in the fourth inning after freshman Hannah McCarville laced single up the middle allowing Meidl to get across. However, St. Cloud State answered with the game-winning run in the bottom half following a RBI single from redshirt sophomore Cassie Francesconi sealing the game and eliminating Minnesota State from the NSIC Tournament.

The Mavericks registered seven hits a team in comparison to the Huskies two. Richards led Minnesota State with a game-high two hits.

The Mavericks will now learn their NCAA Tournament fate on Monday during the NCAA Selection show at 10:00 a.m.