ABERDEEN, S.D. --- The Minnesota State softball team split its doubleheader against Northern State on Monday as the Mavericks defeated the Wolves 4-1 in game one, before falling 4-2 in game two.

MSU now owns a 26-16 record, including a 15-9 NSIC record. NSU now owns a 13-29 record, including a 7-15 conference record.

Game 1 Recap

Minnesota State began the day with a 4-1 win over Northern State in game one.

Junior McKayla Armbruster (17-7) earned the win as she allowed one run on five hits in six innings of work, while striking out seven. Junior Kacy Nickerson earned her first save of the season as she allowed just one hit in one inning. Lexi Chase (5-13) took the loss as she allowed four runs in the complete game effort.

After a pair of scoreless innings to start the game, MSU managed to load the bases with two outs. Junior Madi Newman then put the Mavericks up 1-0 with a fielder's choice as sophomore Cheyenne Behrends just beat out to throw to third. Senior Sydney Nielsen then drove in two more runs with a single through the right side before getting caught in a run down to end the inning.

The fourth inning saw each team score a run to bring the score to 4-1 in favor of MSU. Junior Ellie Tallman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning, before NSU's Elly Smith put the Wolves on the board with an RBI-single to right in the bottom of the inning.

The Mavericks and Wolves would combine to leave eight runners on base in the final three innings, but neither would get another run across the plate as MSU claimed the 4-1 win.

Tallman, Nielsen and sophomore Marina Carter each recorded two hits for the Mavericks.

Game 2 Recap

Northern State defeated Minnesota State 4-2 in game two.

Armbruster (17-8) took the loss as she gave up two runs in three innings of relief. Abby Rux (4-10) earned the win as she gave up two runs in the complete game effort.

After four innings the Mavericks and Wolves were tied at 2-2. MSU scored a run in the third and fourth inning, which included an RBI-walk from Newman and a fielder's choice from Carter. NSU scored a run in the first via an RBI-single from Avarie Eagle and a Maverick throwing error in the third.

In the bottom of the fifth, Northern State recorded two runs on three hits to take a 4-2 lead. Kyra Knudtson and Elly Smith each posted a two-out RBI-single to put the Wolves up by two.

Rux would then set down the final six Maverick batters in order to secure the 4-2 win for the Wolves.

Nielsen and freshman Gianna Lara each recorded two hits for the Mavericks.

Minnesota State continues its road trip of Tuesday as the Mavericks take on Winona State. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.