WINTERHAVEN, Fla. – Minnesota State softball (17-5) split its two games Tuesday at The Spring Games in Florida. The Mavericks shutout the Fighting Scots of Edinboro (1-4) but fell to the Golden Eagles of Clarion (3-7) in a close game, 2-1.
 
Game 1 vs Edinboro: Minnesota State 5, Edinboro 0
W: Oetzmann (8-1) L: Sral (1-2)

The Scots threatened in the top of the third inning with a one-out double down the left field line. Two-time NSIC Pitcher of the Week, Maddie Oetzmann struck the next batter out, but the following hitter, Madalyn Valoroso, hit a single to centerfield. The runner attempted to score from second base, but Kylie Sullivan threw her out at home to end the inning unscathed.

The bottom of the third started the scoring for the Mavericks, as Sullivan hit a two-out single to center. Ellie Tallman was hit by a pitch, then Gianna Lara hit an RBI single to right field, giving MSU a 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless top-half of the fourth, Ella Schulz hit a leadoff single through the left side. Cheyenne Behrends doubled, advancing the pinch runner, Kurstyn Patnode to third. Freshman Courtney Kessler hit an RBI single to center field, scoring both runners. Minnesota State led 3-0.

Minnesota State would score once more in the bottom of the fifth. Lara led off the inning with a single to left and Courtney Baxter advanced her to third with another single. Schulz popped up to the pitcher, and in an attempt to throw Baxter out at first, threw the ball away, allowing Lara to score from third. After Baxter advanced to second on a ground out, Kessler hit another RBI single to give the Mavericks a 5-0 lead.

Chloe Brandt came in to finish the game off in the top of the sixth. She closed out the game, giving the Mavericks a 5-0 victory. Brandt struck out three batters and allowed no base runners. Oetzmann pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three hits, no runs and striking out six. Oetzmann's record improves to 8-1 on the season.

Lara, Baxter and Kessler all went 2-3 against the Fighting Scots. Lara and Baxter each scored one run and Lara drove in one RBI. Kessler drove in three Maverick base runners. Both Sullivan and Behrends finished 1-3 with one run scored.
 

Game 2 vs Clarion: Clarion 2, Minnesota State 1
W: Hipps (3-3) L: Del Vecchio (0-1)

The Mavericks threatened in the top of the first, with Sullivan drawing a leadoff walk, but she was caught stealing second. Tallman got an infield single hit to the pitcher, but Lara grounded into a double play, ending the inning.

Minnesota State finally got on the board in the top of the fifth. Baxter hit a lead off single to center field, followed by a single to left, hit by Behrends. Another single from Kessler loaded the bases with one out. Freshman Izzy Hycnar flied out to left field, which allowed Baxter to score from third. Rhyan Fritz flied out to end the inning, Mavericks leading 1-0.

Emily Buchleitner for the Golden Eagles reached on an error, then Kathryn O'Horo singled down the left field line, advancing to second base on a throw to third; both with two outs. A walk loaded the bases. A fielder's choice got the Mavericks out of the bottom of the fifth unscathed.

In the bottom of the sixth, Billie Aguglia hit a home run to left center, tying the game, 1-1.
Clarion would close the game out with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh. A leadoff double from O'Horo forced a pitching change for MSU. Oetzmann replaced Sophia Del Vecchio but allowed a single that put runners on first and third. Tori Martrano hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring O'Horo from third, ending the game, 2-1.

Kacy Nickerson started the game for Minnesota State. She pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out eight batters and walking two.

Tallman, Behrends and Kessler all went 2-3 in the game against Clarion. Hycnar hit the only runner home for the Mavericks with the sacrifice fly in the fifth.

"In game one, we were able to score in back-to-back innings and Oetzmann and Brandt combined for a shutout and had solid defense," said Mavericks head coach Lori Meyer. "Kessler had three of the five RBI and had a good presence at the plate with runners in scoring position. After the second game, we have to figure out how to mentally win the second game of the day. Our previous four losses have been the second game of teh day. We need to learn from today and come back tomorrow, as we have two more days of games before we conclude nonconference play."
 
Minnesota State has two more days at The Spring Games. Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 6, the Mavericks will play Mercyhurst (2-5) at 11:30 a.m. and Dominican (N.Y.) (1-2) at 2:15 p.m.