Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team (1-0, 0-0 NSIC) opened their 2022 campaign with a dominating 8-0 victory in six innings over the visiting Northwest Missouri Bearcats (0-1, 0-0 MIAA) Friday evening in the Maverick Sport Dome as a part of the Portolite & Field Turf MSU Invitational Softball Tournament.

Mackenzie Ward (1-0), NSIC Pre-Season Pitcher of the Year, started the game for the Mavericks and pitched a complete game one-hitter shutout. She struck out 10 batters and walked none in the victory.

NWMSU's Hayden Simmons took the loss (0-1) after giving up seven runs, six earned in four innings pitched. Christina Campbell allowed one run in 1.1 innings of relief.

Hannah Blackford got the lone hit for the Bearcats

Senior shortstop Torey Richards led the Maverick offense this evening as she drove in five runs off three hits. The Mavericks also saw Madi Newman and Sydney Nielsen both record two hits and two runs scored.

The Mavericks return to the diamond at the Maverick Sport Dome Saturday as they take on Washburn at 3:30 p.m., and Missouri Western with first pitch set for 6:00 p.m.

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