Game 1 Box

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team opened NSIC play on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over the University of Sioux Falls in game one of a doubleheader at the Schwan Regional Event Center.  
 
SMSU opened the scoring in the bottom of the second as Madison Krog smacked a solo home run over the right-center field fence to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.
 
SMSU added to the lead in the third as Emma Grote singled with one out and stole second. Bailey Johnson drilled a double to score Grote and moments later Kali Tomlinson dropped a single down the right field line to push the score to 3-0.
 
The run support was more than enough for SMSU starting pitcher Athena Golling, who allowed just one unearned run on six hits. She struck out six and walked one, while improving to 4-3 on the season. It was her seventh complete game of the season.
 
Both teams finished the opener with six hits with Krog leading the Mustangs with two.