Box Score vs. Upper Iowa
Box Score vs. Wayne State

MARSHALL, Minn. - Amanda Johnson tossed a pair of shutouts and Amanda Burkhart and Amanda Tucci both hit home runs to lead the Southwest Minnesota State softball team to a perfect 2-0 record to open the 2009 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament Friday afternoon in Marshall.  SMSU posted a 7-0 victory over Upper Iowa and a 2-0 win over Wayne State.

SMSU improves to 31-19 and will meet Winona State tomorrow at 12 p.m. at Mustang Field in the final round of the winner's bracket.

Johnson was a force on the mound for SMSU, pitching two complete games and allowing just seven hits.  She has now pitched four straight shutouts for the Mustangs.  She moves to 19-9 on the year.

Burkhart slammed two home runs on the day--the first coming against UIU in the bottom of the first inning to put the Mustangs up 3-0, and the second in the bottom of the fourth inning against WSC to break a 0-0 tie.

Tucci's long ball was the other run SMSU scored against WSC.

SMSU's offense came early on against UIU in the Mustangs' tournament-opening game.  Prior to Burkhart's two-run homer, Meaghan Laetsch and Kristin Braden cooperated for a double steal to open scoring in the contest.  Braden's move for second base drew the throw and allowed Laetsch to score from third base.

The Mustangs' four-run second inning helped the cause as Jessica Paczosa, Laetsch and Burkhart each singled to drive in the runs and give SMSU a 7-0 advantage.  The comfortable lead lasted until the final inning.

Christy Loan took the loss for UIU, going 5.0 innings and allowing 13 hits.

Burkhart finished 2 for 3 at the plate and collected four RBIs, while Laetsch was 3 for 4 with an RBI.

Johnson struck out eight and allowed three hits.

The win set the Mustangs up to face WSC, and, as advertised, it was a pitcher's battle early on.

The game was knotted at 0-0 heading into the fourth inning when Burkhart and Tucci unloaded their consecutive home runs to give the Mustangs a 2-0 lead.

Johnson retired WSC in order in the fourth and fifth innings and allowed one hit in the final inning to cap the victory.

Wildcat ace Katie Goetzinger suffered the loss for WSC.  She went 5.0 innings, gave up four hits, and struck out seven.

Johnson gave up four hits and struck out seven in the win.