BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2
MARSHALL, Minn. - Rachel Hoeppner pitched a two-hit shutout in game one and a complete game in game two to lead Southwest Minnesota State to a sweep of Northern State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Saturday. SMSU won by scores of 2-0 and 5-3.

In game one, Rachel Hoeppner was the story of the game as she shut the Wolves down as she pitched a two-hit shutout. Hoeppner would cruise to the seventh allowing just two hits. Hoeppner struck out just one batter but induced 11 ground ball outs.

Amy Dreessen would get SMSU out to a 1-0 lead when she roped a RBI double down the right field line that scored Shelbie Stoll from second. The double and RBI was Dreessen's 33rd and 92nd of her career, respectively. Her double moved her into fourth all-time in SMSU history, while she looks closes in on eighth place all-time in RBIs.

Morgan Peterson would blast her seventh home run of the season after a long battle, eventually sailing the ball over the centerfield fence to make it a 2-0 game. Hoeppner would walk the first two batters in the seventh but would hold on for her first shutout of the season.

In game two, Northern State jumped all over Hoeppner as the Wolves collected five hits and three runs in the first inning, more runs and hits than she allowed all of game one. Hoeppner would settle down as the three runs in the first inning would be all the runs the Wolves would get the rest of the game.

Stepping to the plate down 3-0 in the third with two outs and the bases juiced, Morgan Peterson worked the count and hit her eighth home run of the season, third grand slam of the season.

SMSU would add to its lead in the fifth inning when Bailie Sheahan, who entered as a pinch runner, scored on a fielder's choice by Jennifer Johnson.

The five runs would be all that starting pitcher Rachel Hoeppner (11-13) would need as she shutout the Wolves following the three run first inning. Hoeppner worked seven innings, allowed 10 hits, three earned runs, walked two and struck out two.

Dreessen finished the game 1 for 1 with three walks, while Morgan Peterson went 1 for 3 with a grand slam and four RBIs.

The Mustangs (16-21, 10-16 NSIC) took care of their business by sweeping Northern State but didn't receive the help needed to continue contention of the coveted final 10th seed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament. The University of Mary swept Augustana College (S.D.) today to eliminate SMSU. The 10th seed is still up for grabs as the final NSIC doubleheaders tomorrow will determine whether UMary or Northern State qualifies.

It is only the second time the Mustangs have failed to qualify for the NSIC tournament, the second consecutive season after failing in 2012.

Mustangs will conclude the 2013 season tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader versus MSU Moorhead. Sunday's doubleheader is Senior Day as the Mustangs will honor its lone senior member, Amy Dreessen.