CLERMONT, Fla. - Minnesota State softball (12-8) won its fifth and sixth consecutive game on Monday at THE Spring Games in Florida.
In game one, a pair of home runs from freshmen Finley Anderson and Hannah Tong propelled the Mavericks to an 8-0 win in five innings against Point Park (1-6). Fellow freshman Carly Kimmes also had a two-RBI hit in the game.
The second game was defined by the team's returners. Junior first baseman Gianna Lara and sophomore shortstop Izzy Hycnar both had multi-hit-two-RBI games against the Panthers of Ohio Dominican (6-10). Minnesota State won 7-1 over ODU.
Game 1 vs Point Park (Pa.) - W, MSU 8, PPU 0 (5 Innings)
W: Chloe Brandt (1-0) L: Jaylyn Mullenax (1-4)
In the bottom of the second, freshman Tong hit a double to right field, then sophomore Hycnar hit her in with an RBI single to center field to put Minnesota State up 1-0 early.
In the third, senior centerfielder Marina Carter singled to the pitcher and advanced to second on an error. Ella Schulz also hit an infield single before freshman Anderson hit her fourth home run of the season, the second at THE Spring Games, which gave the Mavericks a 4-0 lead.
Hycnar led off with a single in the fourth inning. She got to third base after advancing to second on a passed ball and stealing third. Kurstyn Patnode drew a walk, stole second base, then freshman leadoff hitter Kimmes hit a two-RBI single up the middle to center field, which scored both runners and made it a six-run ball game.
The Mavericks ended it in the bottom of the fifth, as Anderson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Tong came up to the plate and homered to center field, which secured an 8-0 win for Minnesota State.
Starting pitcher Chloe Brandt pitched five innings of shutout softball. She allowed four hits, walked one and struck out two.
Anderson knocked in three RBI with one crack of the bat. Both Kimmes and Tong drove in two. Hycnar tallied the eighth RBI and had two hits.
Game 2 vs Ohio Dominican - W, MSU 7, ODU 1
W: Sailor Hall (5-2) L: Amelia Spidell
After a scoreless first, the Mavericks got on the board early in the second inning. First baseman Gianna Lara drew a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Hycnar hit an RBI triple to the gap in right center to put MSU on the board. After freshman catcher Ryanne Mellum got on base after getting slugged, starting pitcher Sailor Hall dropped a sacrifice bunt that scored Hycnar from third and moved the freshman up a bag. Maddie Helin reached on an error, which allowed Mellum to score, which gave the Mavericks a 3-0 lead.
Following five scoreless frames, Cheyenne Behrends led off the top of the fifth with a double to right center. Her pinch runner, Ireland Broderick, moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt, then an RBI double from Lara put Minnesota State up 4-0.
The Panthers put runners on first and second in the bottom half of the inning, but the Maverick defense turned a 5-4-3 double play to get out of the inning unscathed.
Ohio Dominican finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth, but it could have been much more productive. Halina Schulte hit a lead-single, then an error and another single loaded the bases with nobody out. A wild pitch scored the runner from third and moved up the runners, and a walk loaded the bases again before Hall struck out a Panther bat for the first out of the inning. A Hycnar threw the runner on third out at home on a fielder's choice for out two, and another fielder's choice ended the inning with the score 4-1.
Minnesota State immediately responded in the top of the seventh, as the team put a couple insurance runs on the scoreboard. Kimmes reached on an error and advanced to second on a Behrends single to left. Anderson doubled to right center to score Kimmes and move Behrends to third. Tong drew a walk to load the bases and Lara hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Behrends. A single from Hycnar through the left side scored Anderson and gave MSU a 7-1 lead headed into the final frame.
Pinch hitter Emily Holland doubled to left in the bottom of the seven but was stranded on second as a pop up and a ground out ended the game. Minnesota State won its sixth-straight game 7-1.
Both Hycnar and Lara had two-hit-two-RBI games against the Panthers. Behrends also had two base hits, including a double. Anderson and Hall both had one base hit and one RBI.
Hall was solid in the circle once again for MSU. She pitched seven innings, allowed one run on four hits and struck out two.
"Considering the weather delay, wet fields and wind with gusts anywhere from 20 to 35 miles per hour, it was a great day defensively and offensively," said Minnesota State head coach Lori Meyer. "To have seven extra-base hits in those conditions is a statement that you are going to beat Mother Nature. We have a much-needed day off tomorrow."
Minnesota State has the day off on Tuesday but will be back Wednesday for a pair of games against Findlay (11-4) and Queens College (1-3).
