Sioux Falls, S.D. --- The Minnesota State softball team (34-20, 16-4 NSIC) began their week of action the road as they took on the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls (17-19, 5-10 NSIC). In game one of the afternoon doubleheader the Mavericks and Ward earned the victory, after fending off a late Cougar rally attempt, 5-2. In game two, the Mavericks used a big seventh inning to claim the victory, 5-1

GAME 1

Mackenzie Ward (22-3) got the start for the Mavericks in the game one victory. In a complete game, Ward allowed two earned runs on three hits. She had 12 strikeouts and two walks while facing 28 batters.

Hanna Cress (9-10) got the start in the circle for the Cougars in the loss. In four innings pitched, Cress allowed five runs, one of which was earned, on six hits. Cress had two K's and three walks in 24 batters faced. Bailee Lampman pitched three innings of relief allowing no runs on two hits with four K's and no walks while facing 11 batters.

After a scoreless first by both teams, the Mavericks got on top first. With runners on second and third, Hailey Forshee was able to reach on a fielder's choice RBI single that scored Torey Richards from third to make it 1-0 after two. The Maverick's defense was sharp from start to finish. In the fourth, Minnesota State created separation from the Cougars with a three-run inning. A throwing error allowed Ellie Tallman to reach on a SAC bunt scoring Sydney Nielsen. Madi Newman followed up with an RBI single to left field scoring Tallman. The Mavericks scoring continued with another error from the Cougars as Newman was able to cross the plate from a fielding error by the left fielder to give the Mavericks a 4-0 lead in the fourth. In the fifth, MSU added one more run with an RBI single from Courtney Baxter scoring Richards to extend the lead to 5-0. The sixth saw both teams go down in order and they headed to the seventh. MSU fell in order to begin the inning. Two walks and a hit with two outs loaded the bases to start the bottom half. Two RBI singles from the cougars kept hope alive but, Ward sealed the deal with one final K to secure the 5-2 win in game one.

GAME 2

McKayla Armbruster (5-5) started in the circle for the Mavericks in the game two win. In four and a third innings pitched, Armbruster allowed one earned run on three hits with five K's and one walk in 18 batters faced. Ward pitched two and two third innings of relief. She allowed no runs on two hits with three strikeouts in nine batters faced.

Kait Van Der Zwaag (4-5) started for the Cougars in the game two loss. In six and two third innings pitched, Van Der Zwaag allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on 10 hits. She had two K's in 31 batters faced. Hanna Cress pitched a third of an inning in relief.

The Mavericks and Cougars combined for three hits through the first three innings. Richards broke the stalemate in the fourth with a SAC fly scoring Newman from third. In the fifth, the Cougars had runners in scoring position and Emma Spizzirri capitalized with an RBI single to left to square it up at 1-1. In the top of the sixth, Baxter broke the tie for good with an RBI ground out scoring Behrends. Minnesota State added to their lead in the top half of the seventh with a pair of RBI doubles from Cheyenne Behrends and Sullivan with an RBI single from Newman to make the score 5-1. Ward and the Mavericks defense put the Cougars down in order to complete the sweep.

The Mavericks return to action on Saturday as they host the Wolves of Northern State at the MSU Softball Complex with first pitches set for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.

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