MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State softball (13-3) won both of its games in shutout fashion on the second day of The Spring Games. The Mavericks took down Montana State Billings (3-9-1), 7-0, and defeated the Purple Knights of Bridgeport (2-8), 2-0.  McKayla Armbruster pitched 5.1 innings of one-hit, shutout softball and finished with five strikeouts. Freshman Maddie Oetzmann earned her fifth win over her young career, shutting out the Purple Knights while striking out eight batters. Bridgeport left 10 runners stranded on base in the game against Minnesota State.
 
Game 1 vs Montana State Billings: Minnesota State 7, Montana State Billings 0
W: Armbruster (6-2) L: Wasilewski (1-3)

Following two scoreless innings, the Mavericks would strike in the top of the third. Kylie Sullivan hit a single to right field and stole second base, advancing to third on a single from Ellie Tallman. After Tallman stole second, a wild pitch would score Sullivan from third and advance Tallman. Gianna Lara walked, putting runners on first and third with one out. Ella Schulz hit a sacrifice fly to RF, scoring Tallman from third and giving Minnesota State a 2-0 lead.

After a three-up-three-down inning from McKayla Armbruster, MSU added to its lead in the top of the fourth. The Yellowjackets made a pitching change after Wasilewski walked Cheyenne Behrends and Rhyan Fritz to lead off the inning. Emma Dennison hit a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third with one out. Marina Carter was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A passed ball would score Behrends from third and move the runners up a bag. Montana State Billings got out of the inning allowing just one run; the Mavericks led 3-0.

The Mavericks would add to its lead in the top of the fifth, as well. With two outs, Courtney Baxter was hit by a pitch. Behrends ripped a double to right center field, which scored Baxter from first base, putting Minnesota State up 4-0 on the 'Jackets.

The top of the sixth was the most productive for the Mavericks. A fielder's choice from Carter and a single from Sullivan put runners on first and second with one out. Tallman was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. A sharply hit grounder to first resulted in Lara being out at first, but both Carter and Sullivan scored from second and third, and Tallman reached third base. Schulz walked and Baxter reached on an error by the MSU Billings right fielder, which scored Tallman. When the inning was over, the Mavericks led 7-0.

Kacy Nickerson, who entered for Armbruster in the bottom of the sixth, was able to get all five batters she faced out to end the game.

Behrends reached base twice on a walk and an RBI double in her second day against the Yellowjackets. Fritz went 1-2 at the plate; she hit a double and walked twice. Sullivan went 2-5 with two runs and a stolen base. Tallman went 1-4 but was hit by a pitch; she ended with two runs and a stolen base. Schulz also drove in a run with the sacrifice fly in the third.

Armbruster pitched 5.1 innings. She allowed just two base runner and one hit and she struck out five batters. She improves to 6-2 on the season.
 

Game 2 vs Bridgeport: Minnesota State 2, Bridgeport 0
W: Oetzmann (5-1) L: Zarate (1-4)

Freshman Maddie Ooetzman (5-1) posted her second shutout of the season as she allowed just six hits, while striking out eight. In total, Ooetzman stranded 10 Bridgeport runners on base. Vise Zarate (1-4) took the loss as she gave up two runs in six innings, while striking out two.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Mavericks struck in the bottom of the second. With one out, senior Baxter singled to center and then moved up to second on a ground out. Freshman Courtney Kessler then drove in Baxter with a single to center to put the Mavericks up 1-0.
 
In the top of the third, a pair of singles and a hit batter loaded the bases for the Purple Knights with two outs. Ooetzman was able to get the final out as the next batter flew out to right field to end the inning. Bridgeport managed to get a pair of runners on base in the top of the fourth with two outs, but again Ooetzman was able to strand both runners as a strikeout ended the threat.
 
The Mavericks still led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, junior Schulz doubled to left center. Freshman Kurstyn Patnode then came in to run for Schulz, before a single from Baxter brought Patnode around to score to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead.
 
The Purple Knights managed to get a pair of runners on base in the seventh but a strikeout and a fly out ended the threat as the Mavericks locked down the 2-0 win.
 
Baxter paced the Maverick offense with two hits, one RBI and one run scored. Kessler recorded an RBI as well.
 
"Two great outfield catches in the seventh by Carter and Sullivan sealed the win in game two that took two base hits away," said Mavericks head coach Lori Meyer. "Oetzmann pitched well and defense wins championships, and it sure did in game two today. We were able to get timely hits in both games and hitters made adjustments and came up with key hits. Armbruster threw a one-hitter and Kacy came in relief to preserve the shutout. Nice job by the pitching staff today."

Minnesota State softball continues its action at The Spring Games tomorrow, Saturday, March 2. The Mavericks will take on Notre Dame College (Ohio) (4-2) and Southern New Hampshire (0-0). The Mavericks take on the Falcons at 12:30 p.m. and the Penmen at 3:00 p.m.