Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team split a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader with the University of Mary Marauders Saturday afternoon in Mankato, Minn. In game one the Mavericks defeated the Marauders 6-0 but they were defeated by U-Mary in game two, 5-4 in eight innings.  With the split, Minnesota State moves to 13-4 (2-2 NSIC) on the season and the University of Mary moves to 2-17 (1-5 NSIC).

Game 1

Mackenzie Ward (8-2) started the game for the Mavericks and earned the win pitching six innings while recording a career best 16 strikeouts allowing no runs on only two hits. Katie Bracken pitched the seventh inning striking out one while allowing one hit. Alissa Alvarado (1-4) started for the Marauders and pitched the complete game allowing six runs on seven hits.

After two and a half scoreless innings, the Mavericks struck first when Sydney Nielsen brought Sydney Nelson home from third on a groundout to second base. With two out and runners at second and third, Hannah McCarville struck a hard hit single just past the outstretched glove of the second basemen to score two more runs and put Minnesota State up 3-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, a throwing error from the catcher to first on a fielder's choice allowed McCarville to come home and put the Mavericks up 4-0. Minnesota State wrapped up the scoring in game one when Carly Esselman singled to right field to bring Kylie Sullivan home before Esselman herself scored after an errant throw from the catcher as she stole third.

Esselman finished the game going 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while McCarville finished 1-2 with two RBI and a walk. Sullivan finished the game 1-2 from the plate with two runs scored and a walk.

Game 2

McKayla Armbruster started for Minnesota State but did not record a decision after pitching six and two-thirds innings allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out six. Bracken (0-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning of relief taking the loss after allowing a run while Ward pitched the final two-thirds of an inning. Brooke Harder (1-3) pitched the complete game for the Marauders to earn the win despite allowing four runs on eight hits.

The Mavericks opened the game hot as McCarville blasted a two-run shot over the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning.

Minnesota State added a third run in the bottom of the fourth as an error allowed Hannah Hastings to reach first base while scoring Ellie Tallman from second. Torey Richards brought home Nielsen for the fourth Maverick run of the game in the bottom of the fifth.

After being kept in check all day, U-Mary managed to break out of their slump in the top of the seventh inning when they strung together a series of hits and tie the game 4-4, forcing the game into extra innings after Minnesota State went down in order in the bottom of the seventh. 

A leadoff double for the Marauders set the stage for them to take a 5-4 lead on a single in the top of the eighth inning and despite the Mavericks getting a pair of runners on base in the bottom of the eighth, they were unable to cash in either one, falling by a final of 5-4 to U-Mary.

The Mavericks return to action Wednesday with a road doubleheader against the Winona State Warriors with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.