GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX  | PHOTO GALLERY

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team swept a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader with the University of Minnesota, Crookston (9-16, 3-5 NSIC) in its home opener on Saturday afternoon in Marshall. SMSU (14-10, 5-3 NSIC) picked up a 5-2 win in game one before exploding for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning in an 11-3 six-inning win in game two.

Christine Borowiak and Kris Penick both finished with four hits on the day for SMSU. Borowiak went 3 for 4 in game two, including her eighth double of the season and scored three runs. Ashley Gigax delivered four RBIs on the afternoon finishing with three hits in six at bats.

Gigax opened the scoring in game one with a single up the middle that scored Borowiak and Penick who started off the game with back-to-back singles. The two teams played four innings of scoreless softball before Minnesota, Crookston pushed two runs across in the top of the sixth inning.

Paige Schaust delivered a two-RBI double to right center to even the score at two apiece. SMSU answered in the bottom half of the inning scoring three runs on three two-out hits.

Morgan Peterson delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to center field to score Alysse Luttman who pinch ran for Kaley Scearcy who reached on a single with one out giving SMSU a 3-2 lead. Kasey Eichten stepped to the plate and drilled a triple over the right fielder's head on a line drive to score Peterson to put the Mustangs ahead by two and eventually scored on a wild pitch to make the score 5-2 in favor of the Mustangs.

Chelsey Evans shut the door on the Golden Eagles in the top of the seventh inning to earn her seventh victory of the season. Evans finished the game matching her season-high with seven strikeouts.

SMSU grabbed an early lead in game two scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. After back-to-back singles by Borowiak and Penick, Peterson belted a double to right field scoring two runs. Peterson then scored the third run when Stoll reached on a fielder's choice.

Minnesota, Crookston scored two runs in the top of the second inning on three hits to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Mustangs. SMSU answered in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Gigax scoring Borowiak who singled with one out in the inning.

Gigax delivered another RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning to push SMSU's lead to 5-2. The Golden Eagles put together a threat in the top of the sixth inning scoring one run on three hits while leaving three runners on base to come within two at 5-3.

SMSU answered with six runs in the bottom half of the inning to earn the 11-3 victory in six innings. SMSU pushed six runs across on five hits and three errors by UMC. Rachel Hoeppner improved her record to 6-6 on the season tossing all six innings and finishing with four strikeouts.

Southwest Minnesota State returns to NSIC play tomorrow afternoon hosting MSU Moorhead in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Mustang Field.