Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
 
MARSHALL, Minn. — The Southwest Minnesota State softball team fell to Minnesota State in game one, 3-0 and in game two 6-1 on Wednesday in the final home games of the season at Mustang Field in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

MSU (34-18, 19-7 NSIC) started the scoring in the third inning with a sac fly to center field to score the first run of the game. The Mavericks went on to score another run in the fourth inning from a home run to left field and added another in the top of the sixth with a single to lead 3-0.
 
SMSU (25-23, 14-12 NSIC) struggled to get the bats going in game one as they recorded just three hits in the affair. MSU's Coley Ries—who leads the NSIC in strikeouts—fanned 10 Mustang batters.
 
Katelyn Kalkman, Kailey Hanson and Megan Bunting were the lone Mustangs to tally a hit in the loss.
 
Erin McDurmont suffered the loss pitching the complete game and give up 12 hits and three runs.
 
In game two, the Mavericks started the scoring in the second with a single to down the left field side to score a run.
 
The Mustang responded by scoring a run in the bottom half of the inning after Hanson scored on a pass ball to tie it up 1-1.
 
MSU took the lead again in the third with a 3-run homerun to center field to lead 4-1. The Mavericks didn't stop there as they added a run in the fourth and an insurance run in the fifth to earn the sweep.
 
Kalkman continued her hitting streak and pushed it to nine games after she singled in the bottom of the third. Karmann Carroll, Taylor Koloc and Bunting followed with one hit each.
 
Alex O'Connor started game two and gave up six hits for five runs (three earned) while striking out six batters in 3 1/3 innings pitched. McDurmont came in to relieve O'Connor and pitched the remaining 3 2/3 innings giving up three hits and one run.
 
Southwest Minnesota State will close the regular season on the road as they face No. 19 Winona State on Saturday at 1 p.m. before playing Upper Iowa on Sunday at noon.