BOX SCORE 1  BOX SCORE 2
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The Southwest Minnesota State softball team held off a late inning rally and secured a 5-4 victory in game one and Katie Herron threw a complete game shutout in game two to secure a 10-0 (5) win in game two for a sweep of Minnesota Crookston in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader action on Sunday.

Rachel Groff (4-2) came in relief to pick up the victory as she pitched five solid innings, allowing just two earned runs and struck out two. Jennifer Johnson went 3 for 4 from the plate, while Chelsey Rodenkirch went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs and a walk.

The Mustangs struck first with a run in the bottom of the second on a RBI double to left center by Katelyn Kalkman.

SMSU would pad its lead with a run in the third and a run in the fifth. Up 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth, SMSU would put up two insurance runs that would come in handy. Chelsey Rodenkirch stroked a RBI single to left field that scored Kalkman and Shelbie Stoll.

Minnesota Crookston would cut into the SMSU lead late with a rally in the seventh as the Golden Eagles put up five hits in the inning.

Rachel Groff would wiggle out of the bases loaded jam by getting Jessica Ramos to pop out to second base to end the game.

In game two, SMSU rode starting pitcher Katie Herron (2-0) as she cruised to a complete game shutout. Herron shined in her first career start, throwing five scoreless innings while striking out four, walking one and allowed just three hits.

Despite run-ruling Minnesota Crookston, SMSU used just four hits to score 10 runs. Big hits were the story of game two as Amy Dreessen and Jennifer Johnson provided the punches; Amy Dreessen with a bases clearing 3 RBI double to left field in the second inning and Jennifer Johnson with a grand slam in the fourth. SMSU drew 10 walks in the game -- Katelyn Kalkman drew three and Johnson drew two.

With the sweep, SMSU gets back to .500 as the Mustangs improve to 13-13 overall, 6-8 in the NSIC.

SMSU will be back in action tomorrow with a NSIC doubleheader versus Bemidji State starting at 11 a.m.