Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

CROOKSTON, Minn. - Amanda Burkhart belted three homeruns on the day, giving her a school-record 12 on the season, and the Southwest Minnesota State softball team continued its fine play to post a doubleheader sweep over Minnesota State Moorhead on Sunday in Crookston, Minn. The doubleheader was played in Crookston due to flooding in the Moorhead, Minn., area.

SMSU cruised to an 11-1 victory in game one and followed it with a 5-1 victory in game two.  Amanda Johnson earned the victories on the mound in both games tossing a five-inning complete game in the opener, while pitching seven innings or relief in game two.

The Mustangs improve to 24-16 (16-2 NSIC), while the Dragons drop to 4-20 (0-12 NSIC).

Burkhart had a huge day for the Mustangs, belting a home run in the opener and two homeruns in game two.  Her 12 homeruns this season is the most by a Mustang in a single season; Amanda Tucci and Erin Dickhasuen previously held the record with 10 homers in a season.  Tucci also belted a home run in game two.  The two are in a bit of a homerun race as the duo is now tied for most career homeruns in school history with 28.

Johnson recorded five strikeouts and allowed just one hit in the opener.  In game two, Johnson came on in relief of starter Ali Honken, who failed to retire the first three batters of the game.  Johnson finished the game allowing five hits while recording three strikeouts.

SMSU used an eight-run fifth inning in game one to end the game early.  The surge was keyed by Burkhart's two-run homerun and a Kristen Braden double that drove in two runs.  Braden also homered in the third inning for SMSU.

Braden and Burkhart were both 2 for 3 at the plate and each collected three RBIs.

MSUM scored its only run of game two in the bottom half of the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead.

Burkhart, however, homered again in the top of the second to make knot the game at 1-1.  But she wasn't done yet; the senior went to the plate in the fourth inning and sent another ball over the fence stretch the Mustang lead to2-1.

Tucci's three-run bomb in the top of the sixth closed scoring in the contest and gave the Mustangs the 5-1 victory.

Burkhart was a flawless 3 for 3 at the dish with a pair of RBIs.  Tucci was 2 for 3 with three RBIs.

SMSU has now won nine straight and 16 of its last 18 games and improved to 24-16 overall and sit atop the NSIC standings with a record of 16-2.  The Mustangs return home next Wednesday, April 22, to open a key six-game homestand.  SMSU will battle second-place Wayne State starting at 2 p.m.