Game 1 Box
Game 2 BoxSIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Southwest Minnesota State softball team suffered a pair of losses to the University of Sioux Falls in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener Tuesday afternoon at Sherman Park. The Cougars won the first game 3-2 before completing the sweep with a 7-3 victory in game two.
In game one,
Alex O'Connor (2-6) picked up the loss as the junior hurled the the complete game, striking out two, gave up nine hits and three runs (all earned).
SMSU (4-15, 0-2 NSIC) recorded six hits in the game, led by
Mackenzie Clouse and
Alex Reak who both tallied an RBI.
The Mustangs grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second inning after Reak singled up the middle to score
Sam Flack.
Sioux Falls (18-7, 2-0 NSIC) responded with a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run.
The Mustangs broke the tie in the next inning after Clouse doubled on a ground-rule, which scored
Abbie Decker.
The Cougars took control in the bottom of the fifth following a single into center field that scored a pair of runs to give them a 3-2 lead.
USF would hold off the Mustangs in the final two innings to secure a 3-2 victory and its first conference win.
In game two,
Shelby Crank (0-5) recorded the loss after starting in the circle and giving up four runs. SMSU's other two pitchers appeared in the game as the group combined for 11 hits, seven runs (all earned) and struck out three.
Karmann Carroll led the Mustangs offense, which recorded eight hits, with a pair of singles, including a run scored.
The Mustangs jumped on the board first in the third inning after Carroll scored on a passed ball to give SMSU a 1-0 lead.
Sioux Falls responded in the bottom of the inning with a single to center field and then scored on a throwing error. The Cougars added a pair of runs with a two-out single to grab a 3-1 advantage.
SMSU scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning to tie the game 3-all after a delay steal scored
Taylor Chavez and
Taylor Koloc came around to score on an error on the catcher.
USF would not back down as it retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single. The Cougars added an additional two runs on a single up the middle to lead 6-3. Sioux Falls added an insurance run in the sixth on a single to secure the sweep and a 7-3 win.
Southwest Minnesota State will continue NSIC action this weekend as it travels to MSU Moorhead and Northern State. Both doubleheaders are set to start at 1 and 3 pm.
