Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

MARSHALL, Minn. — The Southwest Minnesota State softball team picked up a big split against Wayne State College in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats won the first game 8-2, but the Mustangs took the final game 6-3.
 
Wayne State is now 15-18 overall and 10-4 in the NSIC, while SMSU is 11-20 overall and 7-7 in conference play.
 
Alex O'Connor (5-8) picked up the loss in game one after throwing five innings, giving up 12 hits, seven runs in 27 batters faced. Athena Golling came in and closed the final two innings, giving up a pair of hits and a run, while striking out one.
 
Wayne State controlled the first game as it out hit SMSU 14-8 and also stuck out once. The Wildcats left eight runners stranded, while the Mustangs left seven. Victoria Brooks led SMSU with a pair of hits and a run scored, including an RBI. Karmann Carroll recorded the other RBI for the Mustangs.
 
The Wildcats dictated the first game from the start, as they scored in the first, third and broke the scoring open in the fifth to lead 6-0, while holding SMSU to just four hits. WSC added an unearned insurance run in the top of the seventh, before SMSU finally got onto the board. Taylor Koloc started the scoring with a single and followed it by stealing both second and third. Brooks singled to second to score Koloc and advanced into scoring position on a bad throw by the second baseman, before stealing third base. Carroll pushed Brooks across on a single to right, but that's all the Mustangs would score, as they fell 8-2.
 
In game two, Golling (4-4) continued in the circle for SMSU and picked up her fourth win, giving up 12 hits, three runs (two earned) and struck out two in the complete game.
 
Wayne State again held the advantage in the hitting category with a 12-4 positive and also left 11 runners on base.
 
Jazmyne Neely led the Mustang offense with three RBIs, including a two-run home run—second of the season—that gave SMSU the lead in the fourth inning. Koloc again stole a pair of bases putting her total at four steals on the day.
 
Wayne State got on the board first in the opening frame to lead 1-0 early, but the Mustangs would retaliate with a pair of runs in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats tied the game up in the third inning at 2-2, but that wouldn't last long as Neely bucked the wind and sent one over the left field fence to give SMSU a 4-2—a lead they would not give up. WSC scored in the fifth to cut the lead to one, but The Mustangs added insurance runs in the sixth to secure the 6-3 victory and the split.
 
Southwest Minnesota State will host St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth this weekend.