BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 4 seed Minnesota State (45-11) hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat No. 6 seed Southwest Minnesota State (29-19) 1-0 and eliminate the Mustangs from the NSIC softball tournament.

Southwest Minnesota State, ranked No. 8 in the Central Region, awaits an announcement from the NCAA on a bid to the Central Region tournament. The announcement will be made on Monday.

Chelsea Erickson led off the bottom half of the seventh inning with a double off the left field fence and scored on a double of the left field fence by Abby Sonnor lifting the Mavericks over the Mustangs.

Cortney Heim was tagged with the loss giving up five hits and one run in the game. Kendra Huettle earns the victory in the circle while allowing six hits in the game.

Kristin Braden and Kaley Scearcy each had one hit, both doubles but the Mustangs left seven runners on base in the game failing to push a run across.

The Mustangs stranded three runners on base in the top of the fourth inning. Borowiak began the inning with a single to center field. Borowiak then stole second base and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Steen before getting tagged out at home on a squeeze attempt.

SMSU would load the bases after a single by Turner and Scearcy reached on an error. Huettle shut the door on the Mustangs in the fourth getting Johnson to ground out to the pitcher.

Minnesota State opened the top of the fifth with a leadoff single by Sonnor, but Heim was able to strand her on third base ending the Mavericks' threat.

Minnesota State advances in the NSIC softball tournament and will play Minnesota Duluth.