Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State softball (39-16) falls in the first round of the NSIC Tournament to MSU Moorhead (33-18), 9-0. The Dragons put together two huge innings, scoring four and five runs, respectively, in the second and third innings.
 
NSIC Tournament Game vs MSU Moorhead (5 innings): MSU Moorhead 9, Minnesota State 0
W: Lopez (19-5) L: Armbruster (19-3)
Scoring began in the bottom of the second inning. A pair of singles from the Dragons put runners on first and third with nobody out. Another single put MSU Moorhead on the board and a fielder's choice scored another, putting the Dragons up 2-0. A single from Evey Evans loaded the bases, forcing an early Mavericks pitching change. Sophia Del Vecchio gave up a first-pitch two-RBI single to left center to put the Dragons up four. The Mavericks got out of the inning on an infield pop out.
 
Eliya Johnson hit a leadoff single through the left side to start the bottom of the third. She advanced to third on an error and sacrifice bunt, putting runners on second and third with one out. A double from Lizzy Davis added two more runs to the Dragons' lead. After another Maverick pitching change, Evans hit a ball over the fence down the left field line, putting MSU Moorhead ahead 9-0.
 
The game ended when the Mavericks couldn't score in the top of the fifth. The Dragons move on to face the winner between Augustana and St. Cloud State.
 
Izzy Hycnar, Courtney Baxter and Marina Carter all had base hits in the game for Minnesota State. The Mavericks all three of its baserunners on.
 
Minnesota State ends its season with a 39-16 record. Maverick ace McKayla Armbruster receives the loss and finishes 2024 with a 19-7 record.