MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team split its doubleheader with Minnesota Duluth Saturday afternoon as the Bulldogs won game one 3-1, before the Mavericks took game two by the score of 3-0.

MSU now owns an 18-12 record, including a 7-5 NSIC record. UMD now owns a 24-7 record, including a 10-2 conference record.

Game 1 Recap

The Mavericks began the day with a 3-1 loss to the Bulldogs.

Junior McKayla Armbruster (10-7) took the loss as she allowed three runs, while striking out four, in the complete game effort. Lauren Dixon (10-2) earned the win as she allowed one run in seven innings, while striking out 10.

The game remained scoreless through the first four innings as both teams combined for three hits. The Bulldogs broke the ice in the top of the fifth as they notched four singles and two runs to take a 2-0 lead. Dea Deleon and Kiana Bender each recorded an RBI-single in the top of the fifth for UMD.

MSU was able to get one back in the bottom half of the fifth to make it 2-1. With one out, sophomore Cheyenne Behrends double to right center. UMD managed to get the second out, but junior Sydney Nelson was able to drive in Behrends with a single through the right side.

UMD was able to go back up by two at 3-1 in the top of the sixth as Julia Gronholz recorded an RBI-double with two outs.

MSU managed to get one base runner in each of the final two innings, but the Mavericks would not reach the scoreboard again as the Bulldogs locked down the 3-1 win.
 
Game 2 Recap

Minnesota State rebounded in game two as the Mavericks defeated the Bulldogs 3-0.

Junior Kacy Nickerson (3-2) recorded her first career shutout as she struck out two batters, while giving up just four hits in the complete game. Allyssa Williams (4-2) was saddled with the loss as she allowed three runs, on four hits, in her three innings of relief.

The game remained scoreless through the first three innings as both teams combined to leave five runners on base. Then with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Behrends notched her fourth home run of the season to put MSU up 1-0.

In the top of the fifth, junior center fielder Kylie Sullivan took away a home run from Elle Potts at the center field fence to help preserve MSU's 1-0 lead.

The bottom of the sixth would see MSU add two more runs to go up 3-0. Senior Sydney Nielsen notched an RBI-single, before freshman Gianna Lara drove in MSU's third run with a sacrifice fly.
UMD led off the seventh with a single, but a diving catch by sophomore Marina Carter in right field started a double play to end any thoughts of a comeback as Nickerson locked down the 3-0 win for her first career shutout.

Minnesota State wraps up its homestand this Tuesday as it hosts Upper Iowa. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.