MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team (38-10, 20-4 NSIC) played host to the Dragons of Minnesota State Moorhead softball team (6-32, 3-19 NSIC) in the weekend finale doubleheader. In game one, it was all Minnesota State as they racked up 18 runs in the victory over the Dragons 18-1. In game two, the Mavericks earned a come from behind win 8-2 on the day MSU recognized its three seniors Torey Richards, Hailey Forshee, and Mackenzie Ward.

GAME 1

Mackenzie Ward (24-3) started for the Mavericks in the circle. In four innings pitched, Ward gave up one unearned run on two hits with two walks and eight K's in 17 batters faced. Katie Bracken pitched one inning of relief giving up no runs, no hits, with no walks or K's in three batters faced.

Reece Dahl (0-7) started for the Dragons in game one loss. In one and two third innings pitched, Reece gave up three earned runs on three hits with six walks and one strikeout. Emma Abbott pitched two and one third inning allowing 15 earned runs on 12 hits with four walks and no strikeouts while facing 23 batters.

The Mavericks got on the board first with Ellie Tallman crossing the plate on a pass ball to take the 1-0 lead after one. Madi Newman in the second earned an RBI single up the middle to make it 2-0. With bases loaded MSU added another run with a walk from Richards. After the MSU defense put the Dragons away in the top of the third Sydney Nelson and Sydney Nielsen made the score 5-0 with a pair of RBI singles. In the top of the fourth Moorhead got their first run of the game on a throwing error making the score 5-1. MSU opened the flood gates in the bottom half of the fourth as the Mavericks scored 13 runs on nine hits sparked by a Nielsen two run blast and bases loaded trip from Nelson to make the score 18-1. Bracken and the Minnesota State defense did the rest with two fly outs and a ground out for the win.

GAME 2

McKayla Armbruster (7-5) got the start in game two for the Mavericks. In five innings pitched, Armbruster gave up two earned runs on two hits with seven K's and one walk in 18 batters faced. Kacy Nickerson and Bracken pitched one inning of relief giving up no hits, no runs with no walks or strikeouts in six batters faced combined.

Avery Steffen (2-8) started for the Dragons in game two. In three and two third innings pitched, Steffen allowed six earned runs on six hits with two walks and strikeouts in 20 batters faced. Evey Evans pitched two and a third innings of relief giving up two earned runs with no K's and a walk while facing 10 batters.

MSU Moorhead got right to work in the top of the first Annika Norman doubled down the left field line bringing in two runs giving them the early lead. After a scoreless second, Newman quickly tied it up with a two-run blast over the left field fence to make the score 2-2. After MSU retired the side in order, the Mavericks created separation. Forshee and Tallman added to the total with a pair of RBIs in right and left field making the score 4-2 Mavericks. Newman continued her big game with an RBI double to left field to make the score 6-2. Richards and Nielsen added two more runs for good measure in the fifth with crafty base running upping the total to eight. Nickerson, Bracken, and the MSU defense sealed the deal for the sweep 8-2.

Minnesota Sate returns to the diamond on Tuesday as they host the Warriors of Winona State at the MSU Softball Complex with first pitches slated for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

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