Box Score Rochester, Minn. – The Minnesota State softball team opened the 2011 RMAC/NSIC Challenge Friday morning with a 9-2 loss to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs at the RCTC SportsDome in Rochester.
UCCS opened a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Lara Mathewson hit a homerun to centerfield. The Mountain Lions added an unearned run in the second to push a 2-0 lead.
The Mavericks answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third as sophomore leftfielder Lauryn Morris singled to third and stole second. Junior rightfielder Melanie Upchurch singled to drive in Morris, cutting the UCCS lead in half.
MSU wasn’t finished as senior third baseman Julie O'Neal plated Upchurch with a sacrifice fly to left, tying the game at two after three innings.
The game did not stay tied for long however as Mountain Lions added five runs in the top of the fourth inning and two more in the seventh to open a 9-2 advantage.
Minnesota State loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh but UCCS pitcher Jessica Belsterling got freshman designated player Lindsay Erickson to ground out to second to end the threat and the game.
Morris, senior first baseman Natalie Spicer and junior centerfielder Chelsea Erickson all contributed two hits to the Maverick offensive which finished with nine hits for the contest. Junior pitcher Kendra Huettl took the loss for MSU as she worked seven innings and allowed nine runs –eight of which were earned – while striking out seven.
Minnesota State continues action in the event Saturday as it plays three games. The Mavericks face Nebraska Kearney at 10 am and then play Adams State at 6 p.m., and CSU Pueblo at 8 p.m.
To view the game stats, click HERE
