Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball opened its home season today with a non-conference doubleheader sweep of Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at chilly and windy Mustang Field, earning a 9-2 win in game one, before holding on for a 9-8 victory in game two.
 
SMSU, 9-7 overall and winners of four straight, will now open NSIC play on Tuesday hosting Sioux Falls for a twinbill at 2 p.m.
 
In the opener, DWU jumped on the board first with a solo home run from Amber Budmark in the top of the first inning.
 
SMSU answered back in the home half of the inning, loading the bases on a pair of hit by pitches and a bunt single. Following a fielder's choice and a strikeout, SMSU caught a break as the DWU third baseman misplayed a pop up by Mackenzie Clouse, allowing two runs to score and give SMSU the lead. Alex Reak then made the mistake even bigger, ripping a two-run double to push the lead to 4-1 after one inning.
 
SMSU added to the lead in the second on a solo home run by Taylor Koloc. The lead expanded in the third as Karmann Carroll scored on a throwing error and moments later Emma Grote ripped her first career home run—a two-run shot over the centerfield fence—pushing the lead to 8-1.
 
Carroll made the score 9-2 in the fourth with an RBI double.
 
The run support was plenty for SMSU starter, Alex O'Connor, who tossed six innings, allowed two runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
 
The Mustangs finished the opener with nine hits, as Kolo paced the team finishing 3 for 4, while Victoria Brooks was 2 for 3.
 
In game two, SMSU took advantage of more DWU mistakes to storm out to an 8-0 lead after two innings.
 
Koloc scored the game's first run in the opening inning, stealing third base and running home after the ball eluded the third baseman.
 
SMSU exploded with a seven-run second innings, using six hits and a pair of DWU errors. Abbie Decker started the scoring with a two-run single making the score 3-0. Kali Tomlinson made the score 4-0 with an infield RBI single, before Carroll smacked a bases-clearing triple to push the lead to 7-0. Carroll closed the scoring, coming home on a single by Madison Krog.
 
It looked like SMSU would win via run-rule, but DWU would not go away and scored four runs to cut the lead in half in the fifth inning off of Mustang starting pitcher, Athena Golling.
 
SMSU picked up what proved to be an important run in the fifth inning to make the score 9-4. Micki Williams singled with one out and later scored on a double to left center by Brooks.
 
The score remained 9-4 into the seventh, before the Tigers mounted one last comeback attempt. Facing SMSU relief pitcher Megan Cull, the Tigers used a double, a walk and another double to plate the inning's first run with one out. O'Connor came into the game and coaxed a pop out on the first pitch, but DWU's Karly Severance drilled a three-run home run to bring the Tigers to within 9-8. But just one pitch later, O'Connor closed out the game with a ground out to secure the victory and her third save of the season.
 
Decker led SMSU's 10-hit attack going 2 for 4 with two RBIs, while Brooks also finished with a pair of hits.
 
Golling (2-1) picked up the victory, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits in 4 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and one walk.