MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball (36-10, 18-4 NSIC) began their weekend homestand with a doubleheader against the Northern State Wolves (11-31, 3-17 NSIC). In game one, the Mavericks bats came out hot as they outpaced the Wolves to run away with a five inning 9-1 win. In game two, the Mavericks outlasted the Wolves in a pitcher's duel with a final score of 1-0.

GAME 1

McKayla Armbruster (6-5) got the start in the game one win. In four innings pitched, Armbruster allowed no runs on one hit with three K's and no walks. Katie Bracken pitched one inning of relief giving up one run on one hit with three K's.

Reagan Elrod (3-7) started for the Wolves in the circle. In two innings pitched, Elrod gave up seven runs on six hits with four walks and one strikeout. Abigail Rux pitched two innings in relief allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and no K's

The Mavericks wasted no time getting on the board in game one. Cheyenne Behrends started the scoring off with an RBI double followed by a Kylie Sullivan and Courtney Baxter RBI singles to give the Mavericks a 3-0 lead after one. After retiring the first six Wolves of the game, the MSU bats got back to work in the second. Madi Newman began the scoring barrage with a two RBI triple to left center. Behrends brought Newman home with an RBI single up the middle. Torey Richards added to the lead with an RBI single to left making the score 7-0 in favor of the Mavericks. MSU allowed two hits all game. After a silent third, Sydney Nielsen and Hailey Forshee both earned RBI singles to give the Mavericks a commanding 9-0 lead. The Wolves tried to mount a comeback with the help of a few errors by the Mavericks but, Bracken was able to put the game away in five with back-to-back K's to seal the victory 9-1.

GAME 2

Mackenzie Ward (23-3) started in the circle for the Mavericks in game two. In a complete game, Ward allowed just one hit and no runs with 12 strikeouts in 22 batters faced.

Meghan Anderson (8-13) started in game two for the Wolves. In a complete game, Anderson allowed one run on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in 23 batters faced.

The first nine batters of the game went down in order before Forshee got the first hit of the game in the bottom of the third. MSU had runners in scoring position multiple times up until the fifth but couldn't capitalize. After fending off a NSU threat with a runner on third the Mavericks finally broke the tie. Nielsen hit a drive to left field for a inside the park homerun to give Minnesota State the lead after five at 1-0. The Mavericks went on to retire the final six batters of the Wolves and earn the sweep with a 1-0 victory in game two.

The Mavericks return to action tomorrow inside the Mavericks All-Sports Dome as they host the Dragons of MSU Moorhead with first pitches set for 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

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