MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team split its doubleheader with Minot State Saturday afternoon as the Mavericks won game one 1-0, before the Beavers won game two 5-0.

MSU now owns a 29-17 record, including an 18-10 NSIC record. Minot State now owns a 28-20 record, including a 15-11 conference record.

Game 1 Recap

Minnesota State defeated Minot State 1-0 in game one to start the day.

Junior McKayla Armbruster (19-8) earned the win as she struck out nine batters, en route to her seventh shutout of the season. Kierra Fournier (4-7) took the loss as she gave up one run on seven hits in 6.1 innings.

After both teams left the bases loaded in the first inning, both Armbruster and Fournier settled down as both teams combined to strand eight runners on base for the next five innings. Minot State managed to get a leadoff single in the top of the seventh, but a fly out and two strikeouts kept the Beavers off the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the seventh, junior Sydney Nelson opened with a single to center field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. An infield single from junior Ellie Tallman would leave runners on the corners for freshman Ava Smithson who then drove in Nelson with a single up the middle to win the game 1-0 for the Mavericks.

Nelson finished the game with three hits.

Game 2 Recap

Minot State won game two by the score of 5-0.

Junior Kacy Nickerson (5-5) took the loss as she allowed four runs, two earned, in five innings. Reegan Floyd (10-10) picked up the win as she allowed eight hits, while striking out 10, in the shutout.
After a pair of scoreless innings to open the game, the Beavers managed to rally for three runs in the top of the third. With runners on first and second and one out, a Maverick throwing error allowed a run to cross plate with runners ending up on second and third. Brooklyn Morrison then doubled to right center scoring both runners to put the Beavers up 3-0.

The Mavericks managed to load the bases in the bottom of the third but Floyd was able to get the final out to get out of the jam.

In the top of the sixth, Minot State added two more runs to increase its lead to 5-0. The Beavers took advantage of another Maverick throwing error to score the first run of the inning, before a sacrifice fly from Lexi Barduson drove in the second run.

The Mavericks managed to get a pair of base runners on with one out in the bottom of the seventh but two strikeouts would end the threat as Minot State secured the 5-0 win.

Tallman, junior Madi Newman and sophomore Marina Carter each recorded two hits for the Mavericks.

Minnesota State finishes its regular season schedule on Sunday as it hosts the University of Mary at the Maverick All-Sports Dome. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.