DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota State softball (35-11, 15-5 NSIC) split a double-header with Minnesota Duluth (30-13, 11-7 NSIC) on Sunday. The Bulldogs won game one 6-2 after jumping out to an early lead with a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning. Minnesota State came back and shutout the Bulldogs in game two, 5-0. Mavericks ace McKayla Armbruster pitched a two-hit complete game shutout, finishing with six strikeouts.
 
Game 1 vs Minnesota Duluth: UMD 6, MSU 2
W: Dixon (16-5) L: Oetzmann (16-3)
The Bulldogs scored first in the bottom of the first inning. After a UMD batter reached on a wild pitch, a single and a walk, Elle Potts hit a grand slam to left center to put Minnesota Duluth up 4-0.
 
Minnesota State responded with a score in the top of the second. Freshman Maddie Helin drew a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball and went to third on a ground out. Helin scored thanks to an RBI single to center from senior second baseman Ellie Tallman.
 
UMD answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning. Morgan McMillan doubled and scored on an RBI single from Kiana Bender.
 
The Mavericks loaded the bases in the top of the third, but only scored one run, attributed to a drawn walk from catcher Emma Dennison. The score was 5-2 after three.
 
Minnesota Duluth would tack on one more run to its lead in the fifth inning. Potts homered for a second time, giving her five RBI on the game and her fifth home run of the season. The game would end by a score of 6-2.
 
Tallman and Sullivan both had two hits in the game. Tallman had one RBI and Sullivan scored a run. Courtney Kessler had a single in the fourth inning.
 

Game 2 vs Minnesota Duluth: MSU 5, UMD 0
W: Armbruster (17-5) L: Williams (4-3)
After a scoreless first inning, Minnesota State got on the board in the top of the second. Rhyan Fritz doubled to lead off the inning and Ella Schulz. The two Maverick baserunners advanced a base on a groundout. Tallman singled, scoring Fritz and Schulz, but she was thrown out trying to take second base, ending the inning.
 
MSU scored again the next inning, beginning with a leadoff walk from Kessler. Sullivan was hit by a pitch and a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners. Another walk loaded the bases and Helin hit a bases-clearing triple to put Minnesota State 5-0.
 
Mavericks ace McKayla Armbruster did not allow a baserunner until Khendal Johnson reached on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fifth. She gave up a single in the same inning, but the team exited the inning unscathed.
 
Armbruster would secure the win for the Mavericks, striking out the last two batters to give her team the 5-0 win. She pitched a complete seven innings, allowing two hits and no runs. She had six strikeouts.
 
Tallman and Fritz each had two hits in the second game. Tallman drove in two RBI. Helin had the other three RBI with her big triple in the third inning.
 
"Our ability to get runners on base and have good at bats set us up for success in game two," said Minnesota State head coach Lori Meyer. "We were able to get timely hits with runners in scoring position. [Armbruster] pitched great, I love how she competed on the mound. UMD is a tough offensive team to shutout."
 
Minnesota State plays in a double-header at home on Tuesday, April 16 against Winona State (27-14, 11-4 NSIC). Both games will be played at the MSU Softball Diamond in Mankato at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Mavericks are 57-50 against the Warriors, winning the last two matchups.