Maryville, Mo. --- The Minnesota State softball team (6-1, 0-0 NSIC) was set to get back in action as it prepared to take on the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State (1-9, 0-0 MIAA) and the Jennies of Central Missouri (0-4, 0-0 MIAA). The Mavericks defeated the Bearcats for the second time this season 11-3 in five innings in game one. The Mavericks dropped the second game of the day to the Jennies 4-3.
Game 1
Katie Bracken started the game for the Mavericks and pitched a complete game. In five innings, Bracken had two strikeouts, two walks and gave up three runs, two earned. Bracken improves to 2-0 on the season.
NWMSU's Dickey Breck (1-3) took the loss after giving nine runs all of which were earned in 4.1 innings pitched. Christina Campbell allowed two runs in 0.2 innings of relief.
NWMSU's Madison Friest and Lauren Grey each had a hit, driving in one run a piece.
Sophomore left fielder Madi Newman led the Maverick offense this morning as she drove in five runs off three hits. Newman had a solo shot in the first and a two-run homer in the fourth.
Minnesota State also saw Sydney Nielsen drive in a run off two hits. Bracken got in the offensive action with three hits and one RBI as well.
Game 2
Mackenzie Ward (2-2) started the second game of the day for the Mavericks. Ward pitched a complete game. In seven innings, Ward had five strike outs, gave up 10 hits and walked two batters. All four runs were earned in the loss.
Central Missouri's Sadie Parks (1-2) started for the Jennies and pitched a complete game. In seven innings, Parks allowed 10 hits, three runs with two earned, two walks and five strikeouts in the win.
Senior Torey Richards and sophomore Kylie Sullivan both had two hits in the game. Richards had an RBI single for the Mavericks in the fifth. Minnesota State had three other batters record a hit in the game. Cheyenne Behrends grounded out in the sixth but, inched the Mavericks closer with an RBI on the play.
Central Missouri had three players with two hits in the game. Bailee Bryand was one of the three and drove in two runs for the Jennies. Abby Allnut doubled to right center in the fourth to bring home the other two runs for the Jennies.
Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow, as the Mavericks take on both the Jennies and Bearcats again in day two. The Mavericks begin the day against Central Missouri with first pitch slated for 1:00 p.m., with its game against the Bearcats set to follow at 3:00 p.m.
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