GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX | PHOTO GALLERY

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team came from behind twice to defeat Minnesota State University Moorhead in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader on Sunday afternoon in Marshall. SMSU (16-10, 7-3 NSIC) scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning in a 4-1 game one win and seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning of game two to earn a 12-4 five-inning win over MSU Moorhead (5-20, 1-9 NSIC).

In game one, MSU Moorhead grabbed a 1-0 lead when Taylor Huss drilled an RBI double to right field scoring Moriah Bruns who was hit by a pitch with two outs in the second inning.

SMSU finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring three runs on three hits. Amy Dreessen and Krista Steen walked to start the inning. Kaley Scearcy moved the runners up to second and third with a sacrifice bunt.

Katelyn Kalkman then singled up a bunt to score Alysse Luttman who pinch-ran for Dreessen to tie the game at one apiece. After reaching first, Kalkman stole second base before Sam Goblirsch singled to left field to score Steen to give SMSU a 2-1 lead.

Goblirsch was caught stealing on a delay, allowing Kalkman to cross the plate from third to give the Mustangs a 3-1 lead. SMSU added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Kaley Scearcy delivered an RBI single to left field to score Morgan Peterson who led off the inning with a walk.

Chelsey Evans earned the win in the circle, improving to 8-2 on the season, tossing seven innings and allowing six hits and one run with two strikeouts. Brittany Howell was tagged with the loss, falling to 2-8 on the season.

SMSU pounded out 14 hits in game two, led by Shelbie Stoll and Kaley Scearcy who both were 3 for 4 at the plate. Stoll finished with a season-high four RBIs while Scearcy finished with a double and two RBIs and two runs scored.

Rachel Groff came into the game in relief of Rachel Hoeppner and earned her second victory of the season tossing three hitless innings. After allowing two walks in the top of the third, Groff set down the Dragons in order in the fourth and fifth innings.

MSU Moorhead took an early 2-0 lead when Amanda Moore drilled a two-run home run to right center field in the top of the first inning. SMSU scored its first run of the game in the home half of the first inning when Christine Borowiak scored on an error by the shortstop. With Kris Penick sliding into second with a stolen base, the shortstop dropped the ball allowing Borowiak to score from third. Borowiak led off the inning with her ninth double of the season.

The Dragons took a 4-1 lead in the top of the third inning when Miranda Bronson doubled home two runs down the right field line. SMSU answered and tied the game in the bottom of the third inning scoring three runs on three hits.

Krista Steen singled to center field to load the bases after a single by Scearcy and a walk by Dreessen. All three runners moved up a base on a wild pitch scoring Scearcy on the play. Stoll then beat out an infield single and to score Dreessen and Steen was able to plate another run on the throw.

SMSU took its first lead of the game at 5-4 in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Scearcy. The Mustangs then were able to score seven runs on five hits and two errors in the bottom of the fifth inning to earn the 12-4 win by the eight-run rule.

SMSU returns to action on Tuesday, April 3, traveling to Wayne, Neb. to take on Wayne State in an NSIC doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.