GAME 1 BOX SCORE
GAME 2 BOX SCORE

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Amy Dreessen's grand slam home run in the top of the 6th inning and Micki Seibring's solo home run in the top of the seventh inning would not be enough as Southwest Minnesota State (25-16, 13-8 NSIC) dropped the first game of doubleheader 6-5 to Concordia-St. Paul (27-19, 10-12 NSIC) on Friday afternoon. 

SMSU's Jennifer Johnson hit her first career home run and drove in a career-high three runs as the Mustangs salvaged a series split by winning game two 6-1.

It was a key regional match-up, as SMSU entered the doubleheader ranked No. 8 in the latest NCAA region rankings, while CU was ranked No. 10.

The Golden Bears struck big in the first inning tagging Ali Honken for four runs thanks to a grand slam home run by Tessa Ewert with two outs in the inning. Honken lasted just four innings allowing five runs, all earned on just six hits.

Ashley Kluever struck out 10 batters in the game and held the Mustangs to no hits through five innings of play earning her 16th win of the season for the Golden Bears.

Kaley Scearcy broke up the no hit bid by Kluever with a single to lead off the sixth inning. Southwest Minnesota State was finally able to put a threat together following the leadoff single.

Kluever struck out Kristin Braden and walked Johnson before getting Kris Penick to foul out. With runners on first and second and two outs, Katie Truner walked which set up Dreessen with the bases loaded.

On a 1-2 count, Dreessen delivered her fifth home run of the season, a grand slam over the left center field fence to bring the Mustangs within one at 5-4.

The Golden Bears would add an insurance run in the home half of the sixth inning with back-to-back two out singles making the score 6-4.

Micki Seibring belted her third home run of the season with one out in the top of the seventh inning but that would be all for the Mustangs as they fell 6-5 to Concordia-St. Paul in game one of the doubleheader.

10 of the 11 runs in game one were scored with two outs in the inning.

Chelsey Evans earned her eighth win of the season pitching seven strong innings allowing just five hits and one run. She struck out five batters and walked just two.

Southwest Minnesota State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Borowiak delivered an RBI single scoring Penick who led off the game with a walk. Borowiak had two of SMSU's 11 hits in game two.

Borowiak then stole her team-leading 10th base of the season taking second base putting her in scoring position. Steen then reached base on an error by the Golden Bears and Borowiak scored on the play.

The Mustangs extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth inning when Jennifer Johnson hit her first career home run over the left field fence with two outs in the inning.

Concordia's Sami Mattson hit her 18th home run of the season for the Golden Bears' only run of the game.

SMSU tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning taking a 5-1 lead. Turner and Scearcy hit back-to-back singles with one out in the inning putting runners on first and second for Braden.

Braden hit a sharp line drive off the pitchers glove but was thrown out at first by the shortstop. Scearcy and Turner advanced on the play. Johnson stepped up to the plate and delivered a two RBI single to right field.

Johnson finished the day with two hits and a career-high three RBIs.

The Mustangs added an insurance run in the seventh inning when Turner singled to left field and the Concordia outfielder over ran the ball which rolled all the way to the fence scoring Borowiak.

Southwest Minnesota State will continue NSIC action tomorrow afternoon taking on Northern State in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D.