Clermont, Fla. ---- The Minnesota State softball team (8-4, 0-0 NSIC) returned to the diamond this afternoon to take on the Fighting Scots of Edinboro University (0-1, 0-0 PSAC). The Mavericks bats in the bottom half of the third and fifth propelled them to a 6-0 victory on day two of the Spring Games.
Mackenzie Ward (5-2) started the game for the Mavericks and earned the victory in the three-hit shutout. In five innings pitched, Ward gave up just one hit, racked up nine strikeouts and had zero walks during her time in the circle. McKayla Armbruster and Kacy Nickerson both pitched one inning of relief for Minnesota State. Both gave up just one hit each and Nickerson had one strikeout in the inning pitched.
Macy Sral (0-1) pitched a complete game for the Fighting Scots in the loss. In six innings pitched, Sral gave up 10 hits and walked two batters. Sral allowed six runs to cross the plate, three of which were earned.
Minnesota State saw three Mavericks get two hits as Madi Newman, Kylie Sullivan and Hailey Forshee all put the ball in play twice. The scoring started in the bottom of the third as Newman doubled down the left field line that brought home Sullivan as she doubled herself prior to the at bat. With Newman on second, Sydney Nielsen stepped to plate and hit a two-run homer over the left field wall. The Mavericks offense wasn't done there. In the bottom of the fifth with two down and Nielsen on second, Katie Bracken brought Nielsen home as she had an RBI single down the left field line. Sydney Nelson was able to get on base via a walk giving the Mavericks runners on first and second. Cheyenne Behrends stepped to the plate next and continued the scoring as she singled to left field bringing in Bracken to give Minnesota State a 6-0 lead which ended up being the final.
Edinboro's offense was held in check all game long as they were only able to get three hits in the contest. Stephanie Krick, Cheyenne Shughart and Lauren Bush all had one hit.
The Mavericks second game of the day against Shippensburg, that was scheduled for 3:00 p.m., was canceled because of an umpire shortage. Minnesota State will return to the diamond tomorrow, for day three of the NTC Spring Games as they will face Northwood University and Saginaw Valley State with first pitches set for 9:00 a.m., and 11:15 a.m., respectively.
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