SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The Minnesota State softball team split day two of the NSIC Tournament as it fell to Winona State 2-0, before defeating Southwest Minnesota State 5-2. MSU now owns a 37-22 overall record.
The Mavericks began the day with a 2-0 loss to Winona State. Hanna Lythberg (22-7) picked up the win as she gave up just five hits in seven innings for the shutout. Sophomore
Coley Ries (20-15) took the loss as she gave up two runs on five hits, while striking out six in six innings.
After a scoreless first inning the Warriors were able to scored the game's first run in the bottom of the second as doubled in McKenna Larsen to give the Warriors the 1-0 lead. The bottom of the third saw the Warriors load the bases with just one out. Ries managed to get the second out but a passed ball would bring Reed Karsten across the plate to make in 2-0 in favor of the Warriors.
Through the final four innings, Lythberg kept the MSU hitters in check as the Mavericks managed to get just four base runners through the final four innings as Lythberg locked down the win for the Warriors.
Sophomore
Ashley Thell led the Maverick offense with two hits.
The Mavericks finished the day with a 5-2 victory over Southwest Minnesota State to advance to the final day of the NSIC Tournament. Freshman
Libby Bemis (17-6) picked up the win as she allowed just two runs on five hits, while striking out nine batters. Alex O'Connor (19-18) took the loss as she surrendered five runs, four earned, in six innings.
MSU got going right away in the bottom of the first inning as it rallied for three runs on four hits to take a 3-0 lead. Junior Tatum Klein singled and stole second and would eventually score the game's first run on a wild pitch. The Mavericks would then load the bases for freshman
Jess Meidl who drove in two with a single to center field.
The Mavericks would add an additional run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-0. Sophomore
Samantha Buhmann led off the inning with a single, before junior
Karli DesLauriers came in to pinch run. DesLauriers advanced to second on a ground out and stole third, before Klein drove her in with an RBI-single to left center.
The Mustangs got on the board in the top of the fifth as Carroll Karmann led off with a triple and scored on the play via a throwing error. SMSU would add another run in the top of the sixth off an RBI-single from Jazmyne Neely to make it 4-2.
The Mavericks answered back in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore
Dana Mogren doubled in Klein to give MSU a three-run lead at 5-2. Bemis then set the side down in order in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
Klein led the Maverick offense with four hits, four stolen bases and two runs scored. Meidl drove in two runs as well.
The Mavericks continue play in the NSIC Tournament on Saturday as they take on the Sioux Falls Cougars at 10 a.m.
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