ABERDEEN, S.D. --- The Minnesota State softball team split its doubleheader against MSU Moorhead in Aberdeen, S.D., Sunday as the Mavericks won game one 7-1, before falling to the Dragons 13-3 in five innings in game two.

The Mavericks now own a 25-15 record, including a 14-8 NSIC record. The Dragons now own a 25-11 record, including a 13-5 NSIC record.

Game 1 Recap

The Mavericks began the day winning game one 7-1.

Junior McKayla Armbruster (16-7) earned the win as she allowed one run, while striking out seven in the complete game effort. Eliya Johnson (5-2) took the loss as she gave up two runs in three innings.

The Mavericks got the scoring going in the top of the third as sophomore Cheyenne Behrends notched a two-out, two-run home run to left field to put the Mavericks up 2-0. The Dragons cut the Maverick lead to one in the bottom of the third as an RBI-double from Evey Evans made the score 2-1.

The Mavericks added three more runs in the top of the fourth as junior Courtney Baxter notched a two-run single, before an RBI-single from freshman Ava Smithson put the Mavericks up 5-1. Junior Madi Newman then notched a two-run home run of her own in the top of the fifth to increase the Maverick lead to 7-1.

Armbruster set the Dragons down in order during the final three innings to secure the 7-1 win for the Mavericks.

Junior Ellie Tallman and sophomore Emma Dennison each tallied two hits, while Behrends, Baxter and Newman each drove in two runs.

Game 2 Recap

The Dragons defeated the Mavericks 13-3 in five innings in game two.

Junior Kacy Nickerson (4-4) took the loss as she allowed six runs in 0.2 innings. Azalya Lopez (6-0) earned the win as she allowed three unearned runs in 3.1 innings.

The Mavericks put together two hits and took advantage of a Dragon error in the top of the first to take an early 2-0 lead.

The Dragons would answer right back in the bottom of the first as they scored nine runs off eight hits. Mack Gallagher notched a two-run home run, while Jordy Smith recorded a grand slam. Gallagher also recorded an RBI-single in the inning as well.

Sophomore Marina Carter notched an RBI-single for the Mavericks in the top of the second, but the Dragons would come back with four more runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 13-3 lead. Smith recorded a two-run double bringing her RBI total up to six.

The Mavericks managed just four hits through the final three innings as the Dragons secured their 13-3 win in five innings.

Behrends and Carter each finished game two with a pair of hits each.

Minnesota State continues its road trip on Monday as it takes on the Northern State Wolves. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.