Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- In a rematch of last year's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament Championship, the Mavericks defeated Minot State 3-1 in the opening round of this year's NSIC Tournament on Thursday.

With the win, MSU improves to 42-9 overall, while MISU falls to 29-19.

The Beavers wasted no time finding their offensive rhythm as they connected on two hits in the first inning before, NSIC Pitcher of the Year Coley Ries was able to retire the side with a strikeout swinging keeping the game scoreless after the top half of the first inning.

Despite giving up two hits early, Ries held the Beaver offense to only five hits, while posting 14 strikeouts.

Senior Samantha Holien got the Mavericks started with a leadoff single and eventually crossed the dish off of a sacrifice fly from fellow senior Anna Cole giving MSU a 1-0 lead after one complete inning of play.

The Mavericks added two additional insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as reigning NSIC Player of the Year, senior Lindsay Erickson connected on a two-out, two RBI single scoring sophomores Emily Bransky and Karli DesLauriers giving MSU a 3-0 cushion with three outs remaining in the game.

Minot State cut the Maverick lead to 3-1 with a solo shot by Alyssa Cornejo with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, but the Beavers weren't able to complete the comeback as the following batter flied out to center field.

Ries went all seven innings allowing one earned run on five hits with two walks and 14 strikeouts, with the win the Eagle Lake, Minn., native improves to 22-4 on the season.
As a unit, MSU scored three runs on 10 hits in an error free softball game by the Mavericks. Individually, Erickson paced the Mavericks from the dish, finishing with three hits and two RBI, Holien finished the contest with one run on two hits in four at bats.

The Mavericks return to action Friday at 12:00 p.m. as they do battle with Wayne State at Sherman Park in Sioux Falls, S.D.