MINOT, N.D. ---- The Minnesota State softball team (44-10, 26-4 NSIC) traveled to Minot State University to take on the Beavers (28-20, 9-15 NSIC) in the regular season finale this afternoon. In game one, Ward pitched a four hit shutout to get the victory with a final of 3-0. In game two, Minnesota State fell behind early, but a four run second inning propelled the Mavericks to victory with a 4-2 final.
GAME 1
Mackenzie Ward(27-3) got the start for Minnesota State in the circle for game one. In a complete game, Ward gave up no runs and allowed just four hits. She racked up seven K's and just one walk while facing 25 batters.
Reegan Floyd (8-7) started for the Beavers in the game one loss. In a complete game, Floyd allowed three earned runs on eight hits with six K's and two walks in 32 batters faced.
After a scoreless first, Minnesota State started the second off with a single up the middle from Torey Richards. Courtney Baxter started the scoring off with an RBI double to make the score 1-0. Sydney Nelson added the second run of the inning with a SAC fly to center field scoring Baxter. After two Ward strikeouts to retire the side in the second. MSU added the third and final run of the game with an RBI single from Cheyenne Behrends to right field. The Mavericks had a chance to extend the lead with two gone and bases loaded in the top of the fifth but, were unable to capitalize. From here Ward allowed only two more hits in the game as the defense shut the Beavers down. Minnesota State sealed game one with a 3-0 victory.
GAME 2
McKayla Armbruster got the start in the game two win for the Mavericks. In three and a third innings pitched, Armbruster allowed two earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks while facing 14 batters. Katie Bracken (1-0) finished the game for the Mavericks. In three and two third innings pitched, Bracken allowed no runs and no hits with two K's and no walks while facing 11 batters.
Trinity Valentine (11-10) started for the Beavers in the game two loss. In one and third innings pitched, Valentine gave up four earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout in 12 batters faced. Jasmine Blizzard pitched five and two third innings of relief giving up no runs and three hits with three K's and two walks in the contest.
Minot struck first in game two with an RBI single from Lenora Watson. The Mavericks thwarted any further advance and held the score at 1-0. The Mavericks answered back big in the top half of the second with a four-run inning that ended up being the deciding factor. With runners on first and second, Nelson put the Mavericks on the board with an RBI single to tie the game at one all. Ellie Tallman loaded the bases with a single to right field. Madi Newman capitalized on the opportunity with a two RBI single to right to give the Mavericks the lead 3-1. Behrends capped off the MSU scoring an RBI single of her own to give the Mavericks a 4-1 lead. Back-to-back doubles from Minot in the bottom of the fourth made the score 4-2 as the MSU defense ended any further advance. Minnesota State allowed just two more base runners to get on as they cruised to a 4-2 win and a season finale sweep of the Beavers.
Minnesota State returns to action Thursday in the first round of the NSIC tournament as they are the second seed and will take on either the seventh, eighth, or ninth seed with the game set to begin at 2:00 p.m., at the RYFSA Complex in Rochester, Minn.
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