DULUTH, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team (25-9, 7-3 NSIC) traveled to the University of Minnesota Duluth to take on the Bulldogs (21-10, 6-4 NSIC) in a NSIC Saturday doubleheader. In game one the Mavericks bats came alive in the top of the eighth inning to clinch a 3-0 victory. In game two, the Mavericks dropped the contest in a tight one, 2-0.
GAME 1
Mackenzie Ward (16-3) got the start for the Mavericks in the circle for the game one win. In a complete game pitched, Ward gave up no runs on four hits while earning five strikeouts and five walks in 31 batters faced.
Lauren Dixon (8-5) started for the Bulldogs in the game one loss. In a complete game, Dixon gave up three earned runs on seven hits with 13 strikeouts and two walks while facing 34 batters.
It was a defensive affair in game one as both teams combined for a total of eight hits in seven innings. The Bulldogs left two runners on base three times throughout the game as Ward and the Minnesota State defense thwarted any threat from crossing the plate. The Mavericks themselves left five runners on base through seven innings as their bats couldn't find a way to check a runner across the plate. As the teams headed to extra innings the Mavericks found a spark in the top half of the eighth. With Emma Dennison on second, Madi Newman quickly advanced her to third with a single to get the ball rolling for the Mavericks. Ellie Tallman stepped to the plate next and broke the deadlock by driving in Dennison to give Minnesota State a 1-0 lead. The Mavericks weren't done there. With one gone and runners on first and second, freshman Cheyenne Behrends earned a walk to load the bases. After the second Mavericks out, Courtney Baxter added some insurance with a two RBI double to give the Mavericks the 3-0 lead. Minnesota State's defense put the Bulldogs down in order in the bottom half to seal the 3-0 victory in game one.
GAME 2
McKayla Armbruster (2-4) started for the Mavericks this afternoon in game two. In five innings pitched, Armbruster allowed two earned runs on four hits. She had three strikeouts and one walk in 27 batters faced. Katie Bracken pitched one inning of relief allowing no runs on one hit and one strikeout in five batters faced.
Sam Pederson (8-2) started in the circle for the Bulldogs in the win. In a complete game, Pederson allowed no runs on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks in 27 batters faced.
In was a slow start for both teams as there was just one hit in total through the first three innings of play. The Mavericks had their first threat of scoring in the top of the fourth as Newman started with a single and stole second thereafter. A single from Behrends put runners on the corners but, the Mavericks couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. Through the top of the fifth there was just one more hit. With two down in the bottom of the fifth the Bulldogs got on the board first with a solo shot from Nicole Schmitt to make the score 1-0. In the top of the sixth, Minnesota State once again had two runners on base, this time in scoring position. With two down once again the Mavericks left them stranded as the score remained 1-0. In the bottom of the sixth Minnesota Duluth added another run on an RBI single to extend the lead to 2-0. Bracken got the Mavericks started with a one out single in the bottom half but a fly out and a ground out after gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 victory in game two.
Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow as they head to St. Cloud State to battle the Huskies in a Sunday doubleheader. First pitches for tomorrow are slated for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively.
-30-
