JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Minnesota State softball (24-8) defeated the Marauders from UMary (7-19) in two games Friday. The Mavericks won the first game 9-0 in five innings and won the second 10-2. MSU scored a total of 12 runs in the second inning, allowing for the team to grab momentum early. Both Courtney's for Minnesota State, Courtney Baxter and Courtney Kessler, combined for eight RBI against UMary.
 
Game 1 vs UMary: Minnesota State 9, UMary 0 (5 Innings)
W: Armbruster (10-4) L: Chambers (3-4)
 
Minnesota State got on the board first in the top of the second inning. After Baxter drew a leadoff walk, freshman infielder Rhyan Fritz smacked a triple to right center, scoring Baxter from first and putting the Mavericks up 1-0. A double from Emma Dennison drove in Fritz from third, giving MSU a two-run advantage early. Marina Carter drove in Dennison on an RBI single to left center and a double hit by Kessler scored Carter, putting the Mavericks up by four.
 
After a pitching change, Ellie Tallman hit a bunt single to the pitcher, putting runners on first and third with one out. Gianna Lara hit a bases-clearing double to add two more runs to the MSU total. She scored on an error by the right fielder; Kylie Sullivan, who hit the ball, advanced to third and scored the eighth run of the inning after Baxter hit an RBI single. UMary got out of the inning after a pair of pop-ups, Minnesota State leading 8-0.
 
It wouldn't be too long before Minnesota State struck again. In the top of the third, Carter reached on a bunt single hit towards third and stole second base. Kessler drove in Carter with a single, putting the Mavericks up 9-0.
 
The Marauders threatened in the bottom of the fourth, putting runners on first and third with two outs, but McKayla Armbruster was able to get a line out to end the inning.
 
UMary couldn't get anything else going, losing the game in five innings, 9-0.
 
Three Mavericks had multiple hits in the first game against UMary. Kessler finished 2-4 with two RBI in the leadoff spots. Tallman and Carter both had two hits and two stolen bases. Lara drove in two RBI with her double in the second. As a team, MSU ended with 10 hits against the Marauders.
 
Armbruster pitched four innings, allowed seven hits, no runs and struck out six batters. Chloe Brandt closed out the game in the fifth inning, retiring all three batters she faced, striking out one.
 

Game 2 vs UMary: Minnesota State 10, UMary 2
W: Oetzmann (12-1) L: Johnson (4-4)
 
The Mavericks had another productive second inning in game two. It started out with a leadoff infield single from Sullivan. After stealing second, she scored on a single from Baxter, getting the Mavericks on the board. A single from Fritz advanced Baxter to third and she reached second base on the throw. Cheyenne Behrends got her first hit of the day with a bunt single down the first base line, which scored Baxter and advanced Fritz to third. The Mavericks would load the bases thanks to a hit-by-pitch. UMary would get two outs on the next play; Carter reached on a fielder's choice, and both Behrends and Fritz were thrown out at home attempting to score. Kessler hit a single, which scored Carter and Ella Schulz, putting Minnesota State up 4-0 early.
 
The team would add another to its total, after a leadoff walk for Lara and double for Sullivan put runners on second and third with nobody out. Baxter drove in Lara with a sacrifice fly, but Sullivan was thrown out trying to advance to third. Minnesota State led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third.
 
UMary was finally able to manufacture a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, thanks to a leadoff double hit by Mckenzie Reinhardt. Another double for the Marauders scored their first run and a single from Francesca Villaneda scored another, making the score 5-2.
 
Minnesota state tacked on a couple more runs in the top of the fifth. Tallman reached on a bunt single and advanced to third on an error, putting runners on first and third with zero outs. Sullivan drove her in thanks to a sacrifice fly, and Fritz drove in Kurstyn Patnode, who pinch ran for Lara and stole second. The Mavericks led 7-2.
 
Another run for the Mavericks put the team up 8-2 after the sixth inning. Carter singled to left, stole second and advanced to third base on a line out. Tallman drove her in with a single to center field.
 
The seventh would also prove productive for MSU. Sullivan smashed a triple to right center and scored after a double from Baxter. Behrends hit an RBI single to left field but was thrown out trying to advance to second. Minnesota State led 10-2 heading into the final half-inning.
 
UMary did not go quietly. After a leadoff walk and a strikeout, a single put runners on first and second. An error loaded the bases with one out. Behrends threw out Jaraya Diaz at home to prevent a run. Brandt, who came in for the final inning, was able to get a fly out, ending the game.
 
Five Mavericks had multiple hits in game two. Tallman, Baxter, Fritz and Behrends all had two hits against the Marauders. Fritz and Tallman each drove in one run, Behrends drove in two and Baxter led the Mavericks with three RBI. Sullivan led the team with three hits, scoring two runs and driving in one.
 
Maddie Oetzmann pitched six innings against UMary, allowing nine hits and two runs. She ended with five strikeouts and one batter walked. Brandt, in her second inning of relief of the day, finished with one strikeout, one hit allowed and a walk.
 
"We did a great job of driving balls deep on a big field mixed with our short game," said Mavericks head coach Lori Meyer. "Baxter and Kessler were able drive runners in, combining for eight RBI, which was huge for us. Armbruster and Brandt did a great job of combining for the shutout, and Oetzmann and Brandt were able to get out of adverse situations. It was really good to see."
 
Minnesota State travels to Minot State (10-7) to take on the Beavers tomorrow, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The games will take place in the Air-Supported Dome in Minot. Minot State is yet to lose a conference game this season, holding a 5-0 NSIC record heading into Saturday.