TOPEKA, Kan. --- The Minnesota State softball team went 1-1 Saturday as it dropped a 9-4 loss to Northwest Missouri State, before posting a 5-0 shutout of Washburn.

MSU now owns a 4-2 record on the season.
 
Game 1 Recap
Minnesota State began the day with a 9-4 loss to Northwest Missouri State. Junior Kacy Nickerson (0-2) took the loss as she gave up six runs, four earned, in 2.1 innings. Sophomore Brianne Stone allowed three runs in 3.2 innings in relief. Breck Dickey (1-2) earned the win as she threw four scoreless innings while allowing two hits and striking out six.

The Bearcats added two runs in the bottom of the first Olivia Daugherty drove recorded a two-run single. Northwest Missouri added four more in the bottom of the third as two scored via a double from Skylar Pieper and two more via a Maverick error. Home runs from Daugherty and Aubrey Griffith in the bottom of the fourth put NWMSU up 9-0.

The Maverick offense got going in the top of the fifth as junior Kylie Sullivan notched a two-run home run to right center. Sophomore Emma Dennison recorded a solo home run in the top of the sixth, before senior Sydney Nielsen drove in MSU's final run of the game with an RBI-single in the top of the seventh to bring the final score to 9-4. 

Sullivan finished the game with two hits, two runs scored and two RBI. Dennison also recorded two hits.
 
Game 2 Recap

Minnesota State finished the day with a 5-0 shutout of Washburn. Junior McKayla Armbruster (4-0) earned the win as she threw six shutout innings, while giving up six hits. Sophomore Sophia Del Vecchio preserved the shutout in the seventh as she set the Ichabods down in order. Sadie Walker (1-2) took the loss as she allowed four runs, one earned, in 2.0 innings.

The Mavericks struck first in the bottom of the first to go up 1-0. Junior Madi Newman led off with a walk, and advanced to third via a stolen base and throwing error. Sophomore Cheyenne Behrends brought it Newman with a sac fly to right field.

MSU extended its lead to 4-0 after a three-run third inning. Newman doubled to open the inning and eventually scored via an error by the Washburn second baseman. Nielsen, who singled and eventually advanced to third, was driven in by a sac fly from junior Ellie Tallman, before Behrends scored on a sac bunt by junior Sydney Nelson.

A solo home run from Nielsen in the top of the sixth would prove to be the final run of the game as the Mavericks shutout the Ichabods 5-0.

Newman and Nielsen each scored two runs. Nielsen and freshman Ava Smithson each recorded two hits as well.

Minnesota State concludes its trip to Kansas on Sunday as it takes on Newman and Emporia State in Emporia, Kan. First pitches are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., and 12:15 p.m.