Fayette, Iowa --- Minnesota State continued conference play with a pair wins, 8-2 and 4-0, against Upper Iowa Tuesday afternoon in Fayette, Iowa.

The day also proved historic as senior outfielder McKenzie Paap took sole possession of the Minnesota State Softball programs career hits record when she beat out an infield single for her 307^th hit in a Maverick uniform, breaking the record of 306 held by Lindsay Erickson (2011-2014).  In game two, Paap broke the career record for steals (112), held by Jessica Meidl (2015-2018), and runs scored (197), held by Meidl, cementing her place in Maverick softball history.

With the results, the Mavericks move to 25-17 on the season and 10-10 in conference play while the Peacocks move to 20-15, 12-8 in the NSIC 

Game 1

Mackenzie Ward (13-11) started the game for Minnesota State and earned the complete game with allowing five hits and two runs while striking out 11 batters.  Emily Kisch (12-6) started for the Peacocks and took the loss pitching five innings and allowing six runs on eight hits. 

In the second inning, Julia Bastian scored Torey Richards with a single down the right side before Kennedy Rieck brought home Emma Schifferle on a fielder's choice, giving the Mavericks a 2-0 lead.   

In the bottom of the inning the Peacocks got a run back, but four runs from the Mavericks, highlighted by a three-run shot from Cori Kennedy in the fifth put the game out of reach.

Upper Iowa managed to get one more run in the fifth, but Minnesota State added two more runs in the sixth inning, solidifying the 8-2 win. 

Paap went 2-4 on the game with an RBI and the history making run scored.    Schifferle went 2-3 from the plate with two runs scored and Kennedy recorded the homerun and three RBI.   

Game 2

Lexi Schoper (6-3) started the game for Minnesota State and held the Peacocks to four hits in five innings of work to earn the win.  Ward then pitched two innings of relief work allowing a single hit.  Jaclyn Thompson (3-5) pitched the complete game for Upper Iowa allowing four runs on eight hits walking four batters in the loss. 

Paap wasted no time with a leadoff single followed by the record tying steal before being hit home for the record-breaking run by Kennedy.  Amber Kral and Schifferle each hit home another run giving the Mavericks a 3-0 lead in the first. 

In the second inning Paap reached on an error then recorded the record-breaking steal before Kennedy hit her home with a single, giving Minnesota State the 4-0 lead, they would maintain for the remainder of the game. 

Paap finished game two 2-3 from the plate with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored.  Kennedy finished 2-3 batting with two RBI, a walk and a double.

Minnesota State will return home for a pair of doubleheaders this weekend as the Mavericks will welcome Minnesota Crookston Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m., before taking on Bemidji State Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for noon.