TOPEKA, Kan. – Minnesota State softball (5-3) won both of its games Monday to close out the Washburn Invite. The Mavericks first defeated the Bronchos of Central Oklahoma (12-3), 3-2. In game two, MSU shut out the Jennies of Central Missouri (6-3), 2-0.
 
The Maverick newcomers were key to the team's success. At the plate, Finley Anderson and Carly Kimmes were massive for the team's success in each game. Anderson gave the Mavericks a lead in the first game with a two-run homer which the team would not relinquish. Kimmes was 3-5 at the plate on Monday, including a triple and a solo home run for both scores in the team's win over UCM. Junior transfer Sailor Hall was also great in the circle, as the junior transfer earned her first save against Central Oklahoma and her first win in a complete game shutout with just two hits allowed.
 
 
Game 1 vs Central Oklahoma: W MSU 3, UCO 2
W: Maddie Oetzmann (2-1)      L: Sydney Ward (2-1)    S: Sailor Hall (1)
Kimmes hit a leadoff infield single to kick off the game. She stole second but didn't get any farther as the Mavericks left one on in the top of the first.
 
After a three-up-three down bottom of the first, Izzy Hycnar reached base on another infield single. Then freshman Finley Anderson smacked the ball over the center field fence for both her second career hit and her second career two-RBI home run. Minnesota State led 2-0 through the top of the second.
 
The Mavericks put runners on first and second with one out in the top of the fourth with a pair of base hits, but Bronchos starting pitcher Sydney Ward struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam. Then, in the bottom half of the inning, Rylee Lemos put Central Oklahoma on the board with a solo shot home run. Through four, Minnesota State led 2-1.
 
Both Kimmes and Gianna Lara drew two-out walks in the top of the fifth, which set up freshman Ryanne Mellum for her first RBI as she singled to left and put Minnesota State up 3-1.
 
The Bronchos put a runner on base with a single, but the Mavericks turned another double play to get out of the inning. Minnesota State led by two through five innings.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Lemos hit an RBI double which made it a one-run game and a single put runners on second and third with one out. Hall entered the circle for Oetzmann and got a groundout hit to her and struck out the next batter looking to exit the jam. Minnesota State maintained a 3-2 lead through six innings of play.
 
After a scoreless top-half of the inning, Hall struck out the first Broncho of the bottom of the seventh. She got a groundout and a fly out to end the game and secure the 3-2 victory over Central Oklahoma.
 
It was Anderson's home run swing that secured the victory for MSU in the second. Mellum's RBI single in the fifth inning was the only other RBI for the Mavericks in the game.
 
Oetzmann earned her second win of the season as she pitched 5.1 innings of six-hit two-run softball. She struck out two batters and walked one. Hall entered for the save in game one. She also had two Ks in the win.
 
 
Game 2 vs Central Missouri: W MSU 2, UCM 0
W: Sailor Hall (1-0)       L: Brooke Weimer (1-3)
The second game of the day got off to a slow start, as Minnesota State threatened in both the first and second innings with walks but nothing came of it. Central Missouri hit a single in the top of the third, but a pair of lineouts ended the Jennies' chance.
 
Kimmes led off the bottom of the third with a triple to right field and Lara knocked her in with a sacrifice fly hit out to left, which left Minnesota State with a 1-0 lead after three.
 
The next score would happen in the bottom of the fifth, as Kimmes would rocket a solo home run over the left field fence for her first homer in a Maverick uniform. MSU led 2-0 after five and ended up pulling out the win with two scoreless innings from Hall in the circle. Kimmes' two hits in the game were the only offense the Mavericks could muster but it was enough in the end.
 
Hall was excellent in her complete game shutout. She ended the win over the Jennies with no walks and five strikeouts while only allowing two hits. The Kirkwood transfer earned her first win with Minnesota State.
 
"A great day of softball," commented Maverick head coach Lori Meyer. "To pick up two wins against a couple very good MIAA teams this early on the road is a confidence booster for our team. Oetzmann and Hall did a nice job of spotting their pitches and using their defense to get outs. For our freshman offensively, wow; Stepping up and getting the job done, timely hitting, they did it all. Kimmes gave us a huge spark from the leadoff spot in both games."
 
The Minnesota State softball team will return to Mankato for short time before heading back to Kansas for the Midwest College Classic.
 
"This is one of the toughest preseason schedules I have put together and so far, Team 41 is accepting the challenge," Meyer noted.
 
The Mavericks play down in Shawnee, Kan. next weekend to play six games against Missouri Western (5-5), Rogers State (8-3), Pittsburg State (9-3), Emporia State (6-5), Washburn (9-4) and Central Missouri, once again. Those games will take place between Friday, February 28 and Sunday, March 2.