Kissimmee, Fla.. --- The Minnesota State softball team picked up a pair of victories Wednesday morning at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Mavericks opened the day with a 3-2 win over C.W. Post before defeating #21 California (Pa.), 6-4. With the victories, MSU improves to 9-3 overall and 6-2 at the Rebel Spring Games.
In the opener the Mavericks rallied for the victory. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, senior second baseman
Abby Morris reached on a fielder's choice and promptly stole second.
Abby Morris would then come around to score when freshman centerfielder
Lauryn Morris singled, plating MSU's first run.
The Mavericks took the lead in the sixth when junior third baseman
Julie O'Neal led off the inning with a walk. Freshman
Keri O'Keefe entered to run for O'Neal and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.
Sophomore leftfielder Chelsea Erickson singled, moving O'Keefe to third, to setting the table for senior shortstop
Libbie Reichling. Reichling executed a squeeze bunt to perfection – as she reached on the hit – platting Erickson and tying the game at two. Redshirt freshman designated player Jenna Peterson then singled to plate Erickson and give the Mavericks the games final run.
Peterson and junior first baseman
Natalie Spicer each went 2-for-3 from the plate in the victory. Sophomore pitcher
Kendra Huettl earned the win, as she allowed six hits and two runs – both earned – over seven innings of work. Huettl struck out eight batters in the victory.
In the nightcap, the Mavericks opened a 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning only to allow California (Pa.) to score three unearned runs in the bottom half of the frame.
Minnesota State added a pair of runs in the top of the fourth as
Lauryn Morris drew a two-out walk and scored on Spicer's RBI double. O'Neal followed Spicer's double with an RBI single to give MSU a 5-3 advantage.
The Mavericks added another run in the sixth to ice the victory.
Erickson led MSU at the plate in the victory with two hits in three trips. Redshirt freshman pitcher
Courtney McKelvogue went the distance to earn the win spreading five hits over seven innings of work. McKelvogue allowed four runs – one of which was earned – while striking out three.
Minnesota State continues action in the Sunshine State Thursday as it plays Lock Haven at 1 p.m. and Wisconsin-Parkside at 5 p.m.
To view the stats from the game against C.W. Post, click
HERE
To view the stats from the game against California (Pa.) click
HERE