CLERMONT, Fla. – Minnesota State softball (11-3) won each of its first two games of The Spring Games tournament Thursday. The Mavericks first defeated the Yellowjackets of Montana State Billings (3-7-1), 14-3 in five innings. In their second games, the Mavericks took down Findlay (7-7) in an 8-0 shutout. Senior Kylie Sullivan had a huge day for Minnesota State; she ended the day 4-6 at the plate, reaching base five times, three stolen bases, a double, a triple, a home run and two RBI.
 
Game 1 vs Montana State Billings: Minnesota State 14, Montana State Billings 3
W: Oetzmann (4-1) L: James (1-6)

The Yellowjackets would strike first in the top of the first inning, after drawing a leadoff walk after a seven-pitch at bat. After reaching base, Riley Warden stole second and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. She would score on a sacrifice fly to center field, putting MSU Billings up 1-0.

Sullivan hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the first to get things started for the Mavericks. Sullivan ended up scoring on a passed ball, tying the game at 1-1.

After a three-up-three-down inning for Oetzmann in the circle, the Mavericks would take the lead in the bottom of the second. Freshman Courtney Kessler hit a single to center and Cheyenne Behrends reached on an error by the third baseman, putting Maverick runners on first and second with no outs. Marina Carter would reach on a fielder's choice that saw Kessler out at third. Still, there were runners on first and second with one out. Sullivan reached on an error, advancing Carter to third and scoring Behrends, giving the Mavericks a 2-1 advantage.

Sullivan stole second base to put runners on second and third. Ellie Tallman would then reach on another Yellowjacket error, scoring both Carter and Sullivan. Reigning NSIC Player of the Week Gianna Lara hit an RBI double to center field, scoring Tallman and giving MSU a 5-1 lead heading into the third inning.

Minnesota State would add to its scoring total in the bottom of the third. After a leadoff walk from Kessler and a single from Behrends, Rhyan Fritz hit a double to left center, which scored Kessler and put runners on second and third with no outs. Carter would single through the right side, which scored both Behrends and Fritz, putting the Mavericks up 8-1.

After a pitching change, Sullivan was hit by a pitch. She stole second for a second time, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Tallman drove in another, singling to left field and scoring Carter. Tallman stole second and Lara walked to load the bases with no outs. Caitlyn James, the new pitcher for Montana State Billings, then walked Ella Schulz, which scored another run. A wild pitch would allow Tallman to score from third. Courtney Baxter drew a walk to load the bases yet again for Minnesota State. Kessler and Behrends would each hit sacrifice flies to right field, scoring Lara and Schulz. After a huge eight-run inning, the Mavericks led 13-1.

Minnesota State added one more to its tally before the game was done. In the bottom of the fourth, Sullivan drew a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Maddie Helin pinch-ran for Sullivan and she advanced to third on a wild pitch. Lara hit an RBI single through the left side, scoring Helin and giving the Mavericks a 14-1 lead.

Montana State Billings attempted to cut into the Maverick lead in the top of the fifth. After a single up the middle, the Yellowjacket baserunner would advance to second on a ground out. Payton Meyer would hit a home run over the left field fence, but a flyout would end the game just five pitches later. The Mavericks won 14-3.

Sullivan reached base and scored all three time she went to bat and finished 1-2 at the plate. Tallman also went 1-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Lara went 2-3 with a double, two runs batted in and a run scored herself. Carter went 1-2 with two RBI. The Mavericks had eight players record a base hit against Montana State Billings, including seven who drove in at least one RBI.

Oetzmann got her fourth win of the season. She pitched 3.0 innings of one-run softball while not allowing a single hit. She finished with three strikeouts.
 

Game 1 vs Findlay: Minnesota State 8, Findlay 0
W: Armbruster (5-2) L: Dykin (1-3)

The Mavericks didn't waste any time putting runs on the scoreboard against the Oilers. Sullivan led off with a single up the middle and stole second base. Tallman hit a single of her own, reaching second base on a fielding error by the leftfielder, putting runners on second and third. Lara was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases for Minnesota State. Baxter smacked a single which scored all three base runners, giving the Mavericks a quick 3-0 lead.

Sullivan would add one to the MSU run total, crushing a ball over the left field fence, putting the Mavericks up 4-0. This was Sullivan's third home run of 2024.

The Oilers would threaten in the top of the third, after a lead off double and a single. McKayla Armbruster struck out the next batter. Findlay would hit another single, loading the bases with just one out. The Mavericks were able to throw out the runner at home on a fielder's choice hit by Annika Bredel. MSU was able to get out of the inning on a foul out; the score still 4-0.

A leadoff single for Carter in the bottom of the fourth would get another productive inning started for Minnesota State. Carter would actually advance to third base on a throwing error by the Findlay third baseman. Sullivan hit an RBI single to score Carter and give the Mavericks a five-run lead.

After a pitching change, Tallman would double through the right side, driving in Sullivan and advancing to third base on the throw home. Lara hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Tallman and giving the Mavericks a 7-0 lead.

After a relatively uneventful fifth inning, the Mavericks looked to end the game in the bottom of the sixth. Carter hit a leadoff double to left center. Tallman drew a walk and Lara hit a single to right field; in an attempt to score, Carter was thrown out at home, but Tallman and Lara were each able to advance a bag, putting runners on second and third with two outs. Schulz would reach on an error, scoring Tallman and ending the game by a score of 8-0, Minnesota State.

Sullivan went 3-4 against the Oilers, driving in two runs and scoring three times. Tallman went 2-3 at the plate, with a double, a walk, an RBI and three runs scored. Carter also went 2-3 with a run scored. Baxter went 1-3 with a double and two RBI.

Armbruster pitched 5.0 innings without allowing a run despite Findlay getting seven hits off her. The Mavericks' ace finished with three strikeouts. Armbruster's record improves to 5-2 on the season.

"Our hitters were very patient at the plate today, along with having good pitch selection," said legendary Minnesota State head coach Lori Meyer. "They were finding their pitch to hit rather than chasing pitches that were out of the zone."

Minnesota State is back in action tomorrow for the second day of The Spring Games. The Mavericks will have a rematch against Montana State Billings at 8:15 a.m. and will take on the Knights of Bridgeport at 10:15 a.m. Tomorrow's game between the Mavericks and the Knights will be the first matchup between the two teams.