Topeka, Kan. --- Minnesota State earned a pair of wins against the Washburn University Ichabods 7-1 and Missouri Western State Griffins 4-2, in day one of the Emporia State Softball Classic.

With the results, the Mavericks move to 4-1 on the season while the Ichabods fall to 5-7 and the Griffins move to 2-4. 

Game 1

Junior Mackenzie Ward (3-0) started the game for Minnesota State and pitched three innings striking out five batters and allowing a hit.  Katie Bracken (1-1) replaced Ward in the circle and earned the win pitching four innings while allowing one run and three hits while striking out three.  Raegen Hamm (3-3) started for the Ichabods and took the loss, pitching three innings and allowing six runs on eight hits.

The Mavericks started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Torey Richards advanced from first to third base with a pair of successful steals before being brought home on a single from Emma Schifferle.  In the bottom of the third, Minnesota State added five more runs with a series of hits highlighted by a double from Schifferle that brought in two more runs for her third RBI of the game.

After the Ichabods got a run back in the top of the fourth, the Mavericks responded with a Madi Newman solo homerun to center that pushed the Minnesota State lead back to 7-1. 

Schifferle finished the game 2-3 at the plate with three RBI and a double while Hannah McCarville went 3-3 from the plate with an RBI.  Richards went 1-2 from the plate scoring two runs and stealing two bases.


Game 2

Mackenzie Ward (4-0) started the game for Minnesota State, earning the win while pitching the complete game, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight.  Kelly Uthe (1-2) started for the Griffons, allowing four runs, one of them earned, on six hits, to take the loss.

Defense ruled in the first several innings as Ward mowed through the Missouri Western State batting rotation and the Mavericks failed to cash in on a few scoring opportunities early. Minnesota State struck first in the fifth inning when a double from Nielsen brought Kayla Moky across the plate from third.

In the sixth inning the Mavericks added three more runs on a series of sloppy plays from the Griffon defense which extended the lead to 4-0.  With their final at bats Missouri Western brought a pair of runs across the plate in the top of the eighth inning, but with the tying run at the plate, Ward earned her eighth strikeout of the game giving Minnesota State the 4-2 win. 

Nielsen and Richards each went 2-3 from the plate while Hannah Hastings went 1-3 with a triple and run scored.  Moky finished the game with a stolen base for the Mavericks

Minnesota State will return to action tomorrow afternoon when it will face off with Missouri Southern State.  First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.