MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team (40-10, 22-4 NSIC) hosted the Winona State University Warriors (31-13, 17-5 NSIC) Tuesday afternoon inside the Mavericks All-Sports Dome in a pivotal NSIC showdown. In game one, it was a pitchers dual as two of the best in the conference faced off. Ward and the Mavericks got the better of the Warriors with a 1-0 victory. In game two, the Mavericks outlasted the Warriors to hold onto a 4-3 win.
GAME 1
Mackenzie Ward (25-3) got the start in the game one win. In a complete game, Ward gave up no runs on two hits and struck out 14 batters while facing 23.
Liz Pautz (20-5) started for the Warriors in the circle for game one. In a complete game, Pautz allowed five hits and one earned while striking out 12 in 22 batters faced.
Game one saw a total of seven hits with no walks and zero errors. Both pitchers were efficient in their efforts. The first 14 batters fell until the first hit occurred in the third from Kayla Kerkman. After Ward struck out the side in the top half of the fourth, the Mavericks broke the tie. Madi Newman got on base with a lead off single and stole second after the Cheyenne Behrends fly out. Kylie Sullivan tripled to right field scoring Newman in what ultimately became the deciding run. From there, the next nine batters fell until the sixth. Ellie Tallman singled in the bottom half to start it off and was called out for leaving the bag early during the next at bat. Behrends doubled to right center but ended up stranded as the Warriors retired the side. With their backs against the wall the Warriors started the top half of the seventh with an Abbie Hlas double to right field. Corrina Loshek pinch ran and advanced to third with only one out. Ward struck out the next batter and forced a ground out to third to seal the win 1-0.
Game 2
McKayla Armbruster (8-5) got the start in game two. In five innings pitched, Armbruster allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits. She had nine K's while facing 20 batters. Katie Bracken pitched an inning of relief allowing just one hit and no runs with one strikeout. Ward earned her second save as she closed the game out allowing no hits or runs with two strikeouts.
Abby Smith (4-2) was in the circle for the Warriors in game two. In a complete game, Smith allowed four earned runs on six hits with four walks and three K's while facing 28 batters.
The Mavericks got on the board first in game two. Tallman got a leadoff single in the first. Newman followed up with a single of her own. Tallman scored on a pickle play involving Newman on the second base line that gave the Mavericks a 1-0 on some crafty base running. After a scoreless second, the Warriors tied the game with a SAC fly from Hlas. MSU put the Warriors down in order in the top half of the fourth and looked to gain separation. Sydney Nielsen got on base with a bunt single and stole second shortly after. Then, Nielsen was picked off on her way to third to end the inning. Behrends broke the tie in the fifth with a two RBI triple in the fifth to give MSU a 3-1 lead. Winona intentionally walked Torey Richards to load the bases. Courtney Baxter was up next. Baxter was hit by a pitch and brought in another run for the Mavericks as they ended the inning up 4-1. The Warriors in the top of the sixth got runners in scoring position and looked to inch closer. Carly Engelhardt earned a two RBI double to get them within one. The Mavericks ended the inning getting caught stealing once again as they moved to the seventh. Ward entered the game and struck out the first two batters and got Kerkman to ground out to end the game with the win.
The Mavericks return to action Saturday as they travel to Bismarck, N.D., to take on the Marauders of the University of Mary. First pitches are slated for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively.
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