WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The Southwest Minnesota State softball team opened up its 12-game schedule in Florida, splitting an exhibition doubleheader to Polk State College. SMSU won the first game 2-1, before dropping the final game 10-5.
 
In game one, Alex O'Connor started in the circle and hurled three innings, before Shelby Crank came in in the fourth. O'Connor later returned in the seven inning to close the game. O'Connor recorded three strikeouts, while Crank tallied two.
 
Abbie Decker finished the first game 2 of 3 from the dish, including a stolen base. Taylor Koloc added two hits, on three plate appearances and stole a base.
 
Mikenzi Wiseman drove in the first run of the game after a sac fly to right field gave SMSU a 1-0 lead. Polk State responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game, before Karmann Carroll gave the Mustangs a 2-1 lead in the top of the six after a sac fly to right.
 
In game two, Athena Golling started on the rubber and pitched a complete game, while striking out five batters.
 
Jazmyne Neely led the Mustangs going 3 for 3 from the plate, including a double that scored two runs. Taylor Koloc and Alex Reak both added to the offense with 2 for 3 plate performances, including both having an RBI.
 
Polk State started the bottom of the first inning with a six-run tear after a few Mustang errors to grab an early lead. SMSU chiseled away at the deficit scoring in the second inning after Taylor Chavez scored Neely and Reak scored Koloc.
 
SMSU cut the lead to one in the fifth inning after Neely's double, but PSC responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to lead 10-5 and secure the victory.
 
Southwest Minnesota State will face Lock Haven tomorrow at 12 p.m., (CST) before playing Northwood (MI) at 2 p.m. (CST).
 
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