Rochester, Minn. --- Minnesota State played in the first round of the NSIC Softball Tournament vs St. Cloud State Thursday. The Mavericks overcame a five-run deficit and defeated the Huskies 6-5 to advance to the second round where they will play the winner between Winona State and Sioux Falls tomorrow at noon. 

Lexi Schoper (11-3) started the game for Minnesota State and earned the complete-game win allowing five runs and seven hits. Kate Kopek started for St. Cloud State but did not factor in the decision, pitching four innings and allowing four runs on four hits.  Sydney Lapoint (12-6) pitched three innings of relief work for the Huskies and took the loss allowing two runs and two hits.

St. Cloud State struck first when an error allowed the Huskies to score a run in the bottom of the second inning.  In the third, St. Cloud State put together a string of hits plating four more runs to take a 5-0 lead. 
 
In the fourth inning the Mavericks responded with back to back doubles from Cori Kennedy and Julia Bastian to earn a run.  Then, with Bastian on second, Hannah Hastings drilled a two-out two-run homer to cut the Husky lead to 5-3.  Courtney Potter then led off the fifth inning with a solo homer, drawing the Mavericks within one and chasing the Huskies starter Kopek.
 
In the top of the seventh Potter earned a walk and with two-outs, Kayla Moky reached on a fielder's choice that advanced Potter before Amber Kral drilled a deep single to right center field to bring them home giving the Mavericks their first lead, 6-5, of the game.  St. Cloud State was not able to manage a baserunner in the bottom of the seventh giving Minnesota State the win to advance in the tournament.
 
Hastings finished the game 1-3 with the two-run homerun to lead the Maverick offense while Kral finished 1-4 with the game winning hit. 

Minnesota State will play the winner of top seed Winona State and Sioux Falls tomorrow at 12:00 p.m., in Rochester, Minn.