SMSU-FERRIS STATE BOX SCORE
SMSU-SAGINAW VALLEY STATE BOX SCORE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team finished its 10-game road trip to Florida with two wins in the Rebel Spring Games. The Mustangs began the day with a 10-0 win over Ferris State (Mich.) before defeating No. 25 Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) 2-0. Southwest Minnesota State improves to 12-8 on the season.

Ali Honken started both games for Southwest Minnesota State and notched two straight complete game shutouts. She pitched 13 innings of scoreless softball shutting out Ferris State and Saginaw Valley State on Saturday. In the two wins, Honken struck out nine batters while giving up just seven hits and walking four.

Honken improves to 8-3 on the season, marking a career-high in wins in a single season. She won six games in 2009 and in 2010.

Christine Borowiak led SMSU with three hits against Ferris State. Krista Steen and Amanda Voss each added two hits in the win over the Bulldogs.

The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead over the Bulldogs scoring five runs in the top of the second inning. The rally began when Amy Dreessen was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. Kristin Braden drove in two runs on a single through the right side of the infield in the second inning to add to SMSU's big inning.

Voss connected on a three-run double in the top of the sixth inning to help the Mustangs take a 10-run lead over Ferris State.

Game two

The Mustangs and the Cardinals played four innings of scoreless softball while combining for just three hits through the first four frames. Honken pitched seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits in the game.

The Mustangs put together a one-out threat in the bottom of the fourth inning after two straight singles by Borowiak and Steen. SVU pitcher Jade Fulton stopped the threat striking out the next two Mustangs, striking out the side in the inning. The two teams would head into the top of the fifth inning scoreless.

Jennifer Johnson delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the fifth inning breaking the scoreless tie. Voss delivered a double down the right field line to begin the inning, before Ashley Gigax laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Voss to third base.

Head coach Shawn Semler then went to his bench and brought Johnson in as a pinch hitter. She singled through the left side of the infield to score Voss.

In the bottom of the sixth inning the Mustangs would add an insurance run on a fielder's choice RBI by Katie Turner scoring Braden who began the inning with a single down the right field line.

Honken went into the circle in the top of the seventh inning and set down the Cardinals in order for the fourth time of the game.

Southwest Minnesota State will open the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference portion of its on Saturday, April 2 with a doubleheader against Bemidji State beginning at 1 p.m. in Marshall.