ROCHESTER, Minn. --- the #14 ranked Minnesota State softball team (46-12) entered the final day of the NSIC Tournament taking on the University of Sioux Falls (27-24). Facing elimination, the Mavericks fell to the Cougars this morning 4-0.

McKayla Armbruster (10-6) started for MSU in the circle in the loss. In two innings pitched, Armbruster allowed one earned run on three hits with two strikeouts while facing nine batters. Mackenzie Ward finished the final five innings allowing three earned runs on two hits with eight K's and two walks in 21 batters faced.

Kait Van Der Zwaag (9-6) started for the Cougars in the win. In four innings pitched, Van Der Zwaag, allowed no runs and only three hits in 16 batters faced. Hanna Cress earned the save in the contest as she pitched three innings of relief allowing just one hit and no walks or strikeouts in nine batters faced.

Armbruster and the MSU defense put down the Cougars in order to start the game and looked to go on the offensive. Madi Newman led things off with a single and eventually got to second. The Mavericks couldn't finish the deal as the Cougars retired the side.

USF started the second with a lead off double from Reese Holzhueter. A SAC bunt from Kennedy Thomas moved her to third with one gone. Lexie Swift finished the deal for Sioux Falls with a single to left field scoring the game's first run and earning a 1-0 lead.

After the Mavericks fell in order in the bottom half of the second, Sioux Falls led off with another double which prompted head coach Lori Meyer to bring in Ward. With a runner on third and two gone, MSU and Ward got out of the jam. After two and a half innings with one runner getting on base by both teams, the Mavericks had a chance to tie or take the lead with runners in scoring position with only one gone in the third.

Sydney Nelson hit a fly ball to the short stop just on the outside of the infield and Marina Carter got picked off for the double play as she couldn't return to the bag fast enough as the Cougars retired the side. In the top of the sixth, Ward started with back-to-back K's for the Mavericks. USF got two runners on via two hit by pitches but, they were able to retire the side on a ground out to third.

In the seventh, Minnesota State found themselves in a tricky situation with one out and bases loaded. Ward got the second out with a six-pitch strikeout. Ward worked Kylan Straight into a full count but, Straight hit a three RBI double to right center extending the USF lead to 4-0. With one last chance to tie or take the lead, the Mavericks started with a one out single from Torey Richards. Courtney Baxter and Sydney Nielsen grounded out and flew out to end the game leaving a runner stranded. Sioux Falls held on for a 4-0 victory.

Minnesota State now awaits the NCAA selection show that airs on NCAA.com on Monday at 9:00 a.m., to see where they will be seeded in the sub regional portion of the NCAA tournament. 

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