Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
 

MOORHEAD, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State junior pitcher Alex O'Connor hurled a complete-game shutout in a 1-0 victory in game one against MSU Moorhead to help the Mustangs notch their first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win of the season. The Mustangs put together a 3-run rally in the top of the seventh in game two, to secure the sweep over MSUM.

O'Connor made her sixth start of the season in the circle and pitched the complete game, tying a career-high 12 strikeouts, gave up just three hits and walked a pair of batters. The shutout is the first of the season for SMSU and the second of O'Connor's career.

The Mustangs tallied seven hits in the victory, led by Sam Flack who pushed her hitting streak to six-straight games after a 3 for 4 performance from the dish, including a double. Taylor Chavez came in as a pinch hitter and drove in the lone run.

Both teams fought to score the first run but struggled as SMSU left 10 runners on base, while MSUM left five.

Both team's pitchers made easy work as they did not see more than five batters an inning through five innings.

SMSU broke the drought in the top of the sixth inning as it scored the lone run of the game. Sam Flack primed the scoring with a lead-off double to right center. The Mustangs suffered outs the next two batters, but Chavez came to pinch hit and singled to left field to score Flack.

O'Connor dusted a pair of Dragons in the sixth and another pair in the bottom of the seventh to secure the 1-0 win.

In game two, Athena Golling started and pitched 4 2/3 innings before being relieved by Shelby Crank. Crank threw the remaining 2 1/3 innings and picked up her first colligate win. Golling recorded two strikeouts, while Crank did not allow a hit or run.

SMSU finished with seven hits, led by Sam Flack, Taylor Koloc and Jazmyne Neely who all etched two hits apiece and an RBI.

The two teams again saw limited batters through the first 5 1/2 innings, until MSU Moorhead scored a pair of runs after a 2-out single gave it a 2-0 advantage.

The Mustangs went down in order in the sixth, but put together a run in the seventh. The inning started with a single by Mackenzie Clouse and she advanced on a wild pitch. Victoria Brooks game in to run for Clouse before Flack scored her with an RBI single. Flack advanced into scoring position, then Neely singled to score her and to tie the game 2-all. Koloc brought in the go-ahead run with a 2-out single and to give the Mustangs a 3-2 lead. The Dragons went down in order in the seventh, as SMSU secured the win and the sweep. The pair of wins is the 22nd and 23rd straight against MSUM.

Southwest Minnesota State (6-15, 2-2 NSIC) will continue its road trip as it plays tomorrow at Northern State starting at 1 p.m.