Box Score

SIOUX FALL, S.D. — The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team rolled past Minnesota Duluth, 3-1 in the opening round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference / US Bank Tournament on Thursday at Sherman Park.

SMSU improves to 26-27 and will face No. 1 seed Augustana College at 2 p.m.

The Mustangs got on the board in the top of the first after Madisson Chadwick blasted a solo-home run over the center field fence—her second of the year—to put SMSU up 1-0 early.

In the fourth, the Bulldogs lead off with a double and drove the runner around to tie the game at 1-1.

SMSU responded in the sixth frame after Alysse Luttmann led off with a single and then stole second. Chadwick followed with a walk and both runners stole the next base before  Kailey Hanson pushed both runners across with a double to left center to take a 3-1 lead.

The Mustangs held off the Bulldogs in the bottom of the seventh to earn the 3-1 victory.

Alex O'Connor (18-16) powered the Mustang defense as she pitched the complete game giving up just two hits and one run while striking out six and walk two batters.

Chadwick led the Mustangs going 2 for 3 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. Hanson finished 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. 

Southwest Minnesota State will advance to the second round of the NSIC / US Bank Tournament and play No. 1 seed Augustana. SMSU split with Augie—ranked ninth in the nation—in the regular season at Mustang Field.