ST. Cloud, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team opened the 2019 season with a split of an afternoon doubleheader with Missouri Western State, a 5-2 loss, and a 9-6 win, Friday in St. Cloud.
In game one, Minnesota State (1-1) couldn't' overcome three unearned runs to and lost Missouri Western State (1-1), 5-2. Sophomore pitcher
Mackenzie Ward (0-1) pitched a complete game allowing two earned runs and three walks to go along with six strikeouts. Kenzie Hilzer (0-0) started the game for the Griffins before allowing an earned run and walked in a second, and Olivia Goodale (1-0) got the win in relief.
After both teams failed to put a run on the board in the first three innings, the Griffins got the scoring started by plating two runs in the top of the fourth inning, the second of which was scored on an error. The Mavericks were able to even up the game in the bottom of the inning when
Amber Kral drilled a double to right field, and
Kennedy Rieck knocked her in, before a bases loaded walk sent
McKenzie Paap home, forcing the Griffons to make the pitching change.
In the top of the fifth inning, Western Missouri State managed to score another run on a single to left field, giving them a 3-2 edge, and an inning later, they plated two more runs on a double to left. After the Mavericks held them scoreless in the seventh inning, they attempted to rally back, and managed to get
Paap on base with a bunt, but couldn't get another run on the board, losing the game 5-2.
Kral batted 2-2 and earned a run to go along with a walk, while
Rieck went 1-3 with an RBI and run scored in the game.
Minnesota State posted five hits as a team in comparison to Missouri Western State's six hits.
In game two, the Mavericks defeated the Griffons, 9-6. Sophomore
Julia Bastian (1-0) made her first career start in the circle allowing two hits in 4.0 innings of work. Sophomore
Lexi Schoper also saw 2.1 innings of work posting three strikeouts.
Ward finished the game with .2 innings of action to earn the save. Lexi Kinniard (0-1) picks up the loss allowing seven hits with three earned runs and two strikeouts in 3.0 innings of work.
The first inning saw both teams score a run, as opposed to the slow offensive start of game one. In the third inning
Rieck nailed a two out two RBI single that put the Mavericks up 3-1 and were able to bring another run across the plate to take a 4-1 lead after three innings.
In the fourth inning, Minnesota State added three more runs to pus their lead to 7-1 and in the fifth inning the Griffons earned back a run on a home run. The Mavericks added two more in the sixth inning when
Hailey Forshee hit
Kennedy Rieck home on a fielder's choice, and
Kayla Moky got on base due an error to get
Emma Schifferle got home.
The Griffons mounted a late comeback, getting four runs in the final two innings, but the Mavericks nine runs proved too much to overcome, and Minnesota State came away with the 9-6 win.
Torey Richards was 4-4 for the Mavericks earning an RBI and scoring two runs.
Rieck tallied three RBI on a single and a fielder's choice while earning a run. As a team the Mavericks outhit the Griffons 14-6 and both teams committed three errors.
Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow as it takes on UW-Parkside at 6:00 p.m., before facing off with Nebraska-Kearney at 8:30 p.m.
