Pittsburg, Kan. --- The Minnesota State softball team (14-5, 0-0 NSIC) traveled to Pittsburg State University to take on a pair of opponents in the Gorillas of Pittsburg State (18-8) and the Bronchos of Central Oklahoma (24-5). In the first game, the Mavericks fell to the Gorillas 9-6 in a slugfest. The Mavericks rebounded quickly as they defeated the Bronchos in an eight-inning thriller 6-5.
GAME 1
Katie Bracken (4-2) started for the Mavericks in the circle in the loss. In 1.2 innings pitched, Bracken gave up six runs, four of which were earned, on five hits. Bracken had no walks and no strikeouts in her appearance. Brianne Stone pitched three-innings in relief of Bracken and allowed three runs on eight hits with two runs being earned and one strikeout. Kacy Nickerson finished the game in the circle for the Mavericks pitching 1.1 innings. In her appearance, Nickerson allowed no hits and no runs. Nickerson Had two strikeouts and one walk.
Abby Atkin got the start for the Gorillas this morning. In two innings pitched, Atkin gave up four runs, all of which were earned, on five hits. Atkins had three strikeouts and two walks against 11 batters. Madison Morris (2-0) got the win for the Gorillas this morning pitching 4.2 innings. In her outing, Morris allowed two runs, which were earned on seven hits. Morris had two strikeouts with no walks. Hannah Harrison got the save in the contest closing the game out striking out the final Maverick batter.
Madi Newman led the Mavericks offense today going two for four at the plate this morning with a two-run homer to start the scoring off in the first. The Gorillas answered quickly with a three-runs in the bottom half of the first with two coming from an error and a wild pitch. In the top of the second, the Mavericks saw their second homer of the game with a solo shot from Kylie Sullivan to get MSU back within one. Pittsburg State would answer again in a big way with back-to-back homers with a two-run home run from Hayes and a solo shot from Griffith. The Gorillas held a 6-3 lead after two. With runners in scoring position, Cheyenne Behrends had an RBI single to get Sydney Nielsen across the plate. Pittsburg State would add three more runs over the next three innings with their third home run in the fourth taking a 9-5 lead after five. Nielsen would get one back in the top of the sixth with an RBI single and Ella Schulz did the same in the top of the seventh. The Mavericks fell to the Gorillas 9-6 in the first game of the day.
GAME 2
Mackenzie Ward (9-2) got the start in the circle and the win for the Mavericks in game two. Ward pitched a complete game giving up five runs on five hits all of which were earned. Ward racked up 13 strikeouts and walked only one batter while facing 33 in the contest.
Kylee Lynch started for the Bronchos pitching 1.2 innings. During her appearance, Lynch gave up five runs, all of them being earned, on five hits. Lynch had one strikeout. Bailey McKittrick pitched 4.1 innings in relief of Lynch giving up no runs and allowing four hits. McKittrick had two strikeouts and one walk in 15 batters faced. Isle Cox (4-2) earned the loss today in one inning pitched. Cox allowed one run on one hit with two strikeouts.
The Mavericks offense was once again led by Newman who drove in three runs. Nielsen and Ellie Tallman each had two hits as well as two and one RBI's, respectively. Minnesota State started off the scoring with a bang again in the first with a two-run homer two left field from Nielsen to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead. Huggins answered for the Bronchos with a solo shot in the top of the second. Newman continued her big day at the plate today with her second homer of the day but, this time with a three-run shot to right center. The Mavericks held a 5-1 lead after two. The Bronchos defense locked the Mavericks down not allowing any runs from the third to the seventh. Central Oklahoma's offense slowly chipped away at the Minnesota State lead earning two runs in the third, one in the sixth on an error and an RBI single from Minter in the seventh to knot it up at five all. The Mavericks defense held strong in the top of the eighth and had a chance to close it out. With Sullivan placed on second, Bracken was able to move her to third with a sacrifice bunt. Tallman sealed the deal for Minnesota State with an RBI single to right center brining home Sullivan and capturing the Mavericks 14th victory of the season, 6-5.
The Mavericks return to the diamond tomorrow for rematches against both Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma. Minnesota State starts day two off against the Bronchos with first pitch set for 10:00 a.m.
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