MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State wrapped up its regular season schedule with a pair of wins as it defeated MSU Moorhead by the scores of 5-2 and 5-3.
With the wins, the Mavericks now own a 33-21 record, including a 20-10 NSIC record. With the two losses, the Dragons finish their season with a 9-44 record, including a 7-23 NSIC record.
The Mavericks continue their season on Thursday at the NSIC Tournament. MSU earned the #4 seed in the NSIC Tournament and will take on #5 seed Augustana. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at Bowden Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Game 1
The Mavericks began the day with a 5-2 win over the Dragons in game one.
Junior
Maddie Oetzmann (16-6) picked up the win as she allowed just two runs, one earned, in the complete game effort. Oetzmann also struck out five batters while allowing just one walk. Bella Hess (6-9) took the loss as she gave up five runs, four earned, in five innings of work.
The Mavericks jumped in front right away in the bottom of the first. With one out, junior
Maddie Helin walked and advanced to third on a double by freshman
Nyah Hulbert. Helin then scored on a groundout by senior
Gianna Lara to put the Mavericks up 1-0.
Minnesota State added three more runs in the second to increase its lead to 4-0. The Mavericks notched five hits in the inning including RBI-singles from Oetzmann, sophomore
Finley Anderson and Helin.
The Dragons were able to respond with a two-run top of the third to cut the Maverick lead to 4-2. The Dragons took advantage of a pair of Maverick errors and an RBI-single from Courtney Locke to score their two runs.
The Mavericks added another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth to go up 5-2. Junior
Chole Brandt reached base via an error and eventually made her way to third. A sacrifice bunt from Lara would allow Brandt to cross the plate to put the Mavericks up 5-2.
The Dragons managed to get a pair of runners on base in the top of the seventh with nobody out, but a line out, a fielder's choice and a groundout ended the threat as the Mavericks secured their 5-2 win.
Five different Mavericks scored a run and four recorded an RBI. Hulbert led the team with a pair of hits as well.
Game 2
The Mavericks finished the day with a 5-3 win over the Dragons in game two.
Freshman
Lucy Porter (4-2) earned the win as she allowed three runs on nine hits, while striking out three in her first career complete game. Brynna Farman (1-18) took the loss as she gave up five runs, three earned, in the complete game effort.
After a pair of scoreless inning to open the game, the bottom of the third saw the Mavericks jump ahead 2-0. The Mavericks used three hits and two Dragon errors to score their runs. Hulbert notched an RBI-single, while a fielder's choice from freshman
Avery Dorman scored the second run.
The Mavericks added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to go up 5-0. A double from Helin scored the first run of the inning before a sacrifice fly from Lara scored Brandt. It was on the sacrifice fly that Helin, who was trailing Brandt on second base, attempted to round third base to score when she collided with MSU Moorhead's third baseman and she was awarded home plate to put the Mavericks up 5-0.
Trailing 5-0 into the seventh inning the Dragons were able to record five hits to bring in three runs, but Porter was able to get the final out via a ground out to end the threat as the Mavericks held on to the 5-3 win.
Helin and Hulbert each notched two hits in the game, with Helin also scoring two runs.
