Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Southwest Minnesota State softball team was eliminated by Minnesota State after suffering a 5-2 loss in the NSIC / US Bank Tournament Friday afternoon at Sherman Park
 
SMSU finished the season 27-29 overall, its most wins since 2011.
 
MSU struck first in the bottom half of the first inning after they scored on a wild pitch and followed it with a single to center field that scored two more runs to lead 3-0.
 
In the fourth, the Mavericks added to their lead with another single to center to bring a runner around to score.
 
The Mustangs broke the shutout in the fifth inning after Karmann Carrol tripled and then scored on a throwing error by the right fielder to trail 4-1. SMSU cut into the deficit again in the sixth after Jazmyne Neely singled to left to score Madisson Chadwick to trail by just two runs.
 
In the bottom half of the six frame, MSU added an insurance run after it doubled to left center to score a run and cement the 5-2 victory.
 
Carroll finished 2 for 3 from the plate with a run scored, while Neely recorded the lone RBI finishing 1 for 3.
 
Alex O'Connor pitched the complete game giving up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits, while striking out five and walking just one batter.
 
It was the final game for seniors: Erica Downing, Katelyn Kalkman, Kailey Hanson and Alysse Luttmann.
 
Southwest Minnesota State finished the season 27-29 overall and 14-16 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and advanced to the NSIC tournament for the first time since 2011.