MELBOURNE, Fla. — Minnesota State (10-10) had an impressive showing during The Space Coast Spring Games, first securing an 11–5 victory over Saint Anselm (5-6) and then cruising to an 11-2 win against Ohio Dominican (7-9) on Saturday (March 14) at Easton White Stadium.

First baseman Gianna Lara was a key player for Minnesota State across both games, racking up three hits, two RBIs. Hannah Tong shined against Saint Anselm with two home runs and five RBIs, while sophomore Carly Kimmes contributed significantly with a home run and three hits, scoring three times in the first game and adding a double in the second. Chloe Brandt was also impactful, scoring twice and driving in two runs against Ohio Dominican.

Game 1 | Minnesota State 11, Saint Anselm 5
In the game against Saint Anselm, the Mavericks set the tone early, as Kimmes launched a home run to left center in the first inning. Following her, Finley Anderson added a single, and Tong hit a two-run homer that brought Anderson home, putting MSU ahead 3–2. 

The second inning saw the Mavericks widen the gap with a five-run explosion. Kimmes doubled and scored on Tong's second homer, while Ireland Broderick tripled, bringing in two more runs. Maddie Helin singled to plate Broderick, making it 8–2.

The fourth inning featured Nyah Hulbert pinch-hitting for Broderick, who doubled and scored on Helin's double, bringing the score to 9–5. Lara added to the tally in the sixth with a solo shot to left field, extending the lead to 10–5. 

In the seventh, Kimmes and Anderson both singled, setting up Tong for a double that brought Kimmes home, finalizing the score at 11–5.

Minnesota State's pitching staff held steady, keeping Saint Anselm scoreless in the final innings, with the pitchers notching a season-high 11 strikeouts. Maddie Oetzmann was a standout, pitching a complete game over 7 innings with 11 strikeouts and 3 walks, allowing 7 hits and 5 earned runs, including a home run.

Game 2 | Minnesota State 11, Ohio Dominican 2
In the subsequent match against Ohio Dominican, the Mavericks wasted no time and jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Anderson kicked things off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Tong, making it 1-0. 

The second inning saw MSU pad their lead further, as Helin singled, moved to second on a hit by Avery Dorman, and scored on a single from Brandt. Brandt capitalized on an error to cross the plate, extending the lead to 3-0.

The third inning was particularly strong for MSU, with Lara launching a homer to center that brought Tong home. Brandt reached on a fielder's choice for another run, and Kimmes doubled to push the score to 7-1. In the fourth, Hulbert kept the momentum going with a single and a stolen base, scoring on Helin's hit to make it 8-2. 

The fifth inning sealed the deal as Brandt scored on a passed ball, and Izzy Hycnar doubled in two more runs, solidifying the 11-2 victory.

Jorey Fry pitched a complete game against Ohio Dominican, giving up just three hits and fanning three batters over five innings. Despite allowing a home run and a triple, Fry held the Panthers to two earned runs, improving her season record to 5-5 with a WHIP of 1.40.

Next up for Minnesota State is a Monday (March 16) matchup against Wayne State (Mich.), where they will take the field at 9 a.m. CT at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Melbourne, Fla.