Rochester, Minn. --- Minnesota State played in the second round of the NSIC Softball Tournament vs regular season NSIC Champion Winona State Friday. The Mavericks played stellar defense and put together a timely rally to score the lone run of the game, defeating the Warriors 1-0 and advancing to play Augustana.  The win is Minnesota State's 15th in a row and also snaps Winona State's 31 game win streak

Mackenzie Ward (20-11) started the game for Minnesota State and earned the complete-game shutout win only allowing two hits while striking out 13 batters. Jordyn Kleman (25-2) started for Winona State and took the loss despite allowing only one run on three hits.  

It was clear from the first pitch that defense was going to be the name of the game as both teams struggled to get runners on base in the early innings.  In the fourth inning though, freshman outfielder Kayla Moky led off the inning wth a single to left field before she was moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Amber Kral. 

Cori Kennedy and Julia Bastian followed up the play with back to back walks, loading the bases before Torey Richards sent a ball deep to center field, giving Moky the opportunity to tag up and score from third.  A strikeout ended the inning but at that point the damage was done as the Maverick defense completely stifled the Warriors, and Ward sent down batter after batter for the win.

Moky finished 1-3 from the plate but scored the pivotal run while Torey Richards and Hannah Hastings each added a hit to account for the offense in the game.  

Minnesota State will play #16 Augustana later today with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 p.m.