MARSHALL, Minn. – Minnesota State softball (39-15, 19-9 NSIC) swept the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State (19-32, 10-18 NSIC) in the final regular season games of the 2024 season. Both games were one-score victories for the Mavericks. Marina Carter and Izzy Hycnar had clutch hits to put the Mavericks on top and Ella Schulz hit a home run to give MSU a two-run lead late in game two.
 
Game 1 at Southwest Minnesota State: Minnesota State 4, Southwest Minnesota State 3
W: Nickerson (1-1) L: Otte (8-13)
Courtney Kessler hit a double in the top of the first, the first baserunner of the game. Senior Kylie Sullivan hit her 20^th extra-base hit of the season, smacking a triple to right field, scoring Kessler and putting MSU up 1-0 early.

The Mustangs tied the game in the bottom of the first.  Riley Kramolisch reached via an error and she scored on an RBI single from Jillian Noel to tie the game.

Southwest Minnesota State took a 2-1 lead thanks to an RBI single from Kramolisch in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third, Marine Carter hit a leadoff infield single, followed by a single from Ellie Tallman, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Kessler hit a triple to right, scoring both Carter and Tallman, giving the Mavericks a 3-2 lead.

There would be no scoring until the bottom of the sixth, when Kramolisch hit another RBI single up the middle, tying the game at 3-3.

Not shying away from the moment, Minnesota State took the lead back in the top of the seventh. Rhyan Fritz drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Carter slapped a single up the middle, scoring Fritz to put the Mavericks up 4-3.

Despite loading the bases in the bottom half of the inning, the Mustangs weren't able to put anyone across, securing the win for MSU.

Kessler and Carter were the two Mavericks with multiple hits in game one. Kessler drove in two runs with her triple and Carter finished with one RBI. Sullivan also had one RBI.

 
Game 2 at Southwest Minnesota State: Minnesota State 4, Southwest Minnesota State 3
W: Brandt (3-3) L: Miller (11-17) S: Armbruster (4)
Tallman led off game two with a single to left field. Kessler followed with an infield single. Sullivan hit an RBI single through the left side, scoring Tallman from third after she stole the bag. Izzy Hycnar hit a two-RBI single, putting the Mavericks up 3-0 early.

Southwest Minnesota State responded with a few runs of its own in the bottom of the first. A single to left center from Makenna Waldow put a runner on. Abby Russel launched a ball over the fence, making the score 3-2, Mavericks.

The Mustangs tied the game in the bottom of the second, with Kramolisch hitting another RBI single.
In the top of the third, Sullivan reached on a fielding error. Hycnar doubled to right centerfield, scoring Sullivan and putting Minnesota State up by one.

A solo home run from Ella Schulz put Minnesota State up 5-3 in the top of the fifth inning.

SMSU threatened again in the bottom of the sixth. The Mustangs made it a one-run game on a RBI single up the middle from Paris Van Dyke. Minnesota State let up just one run in the inning, despite the Mustangs putting two on with one out. The Mavericks closed out the game, winning 5-4.

Hycnar had three hits in four at-bats in game two, along with three RBI. Both Sullivan and Schulz had one hit and one RBI each. Kessler went 2-3 in game two.

"Always great to end the regular conference season with two wins," said Minnesota State head coach Lori Meyer. "Starting next week, every team is 0-0. We know we can play with any team in the conference tournament."

Minnesota State currently sits in fourth place in the NSIC, half of a game behind Minnesota Duluth. The NSIC Tournament schedule will be announced as games wrap up tomorrow afternoon.