Game 1
Game 2
MARSHALL Minn.- The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team (25-15, 15-10 NSIC) in its last Northern Sun Intercollegiate home game of the season, celebrated senior day where six members;
Kaylee Hentges,
Kali Tomlinson,
Megan Cull,
Emma Grote,
Madison Krog, and
Madysson Schliinz were recogonized before the first game against University of Minnesota Duluth (27-13, 17-9 NSIC).
The Mustangs earned the sweep over the Bulldogs with Cull throwing a shutout in game one winning 8-0 in five innings. Game two would go into extra innings, but the Mustangs were able to win 4-3. With two outs Grote would single to shortstop and allow
Makenna Waldow to reach home.
In game two both teams took to a slow start with the Mustangs getting on the board in the bottom of the second after Krog hit a sac fly to right field and brought home
Lauren Klein giving SMSU the 1-0 advantage.
SMSU would hold UMD from scoring and bring in another run with Tomlinson hitting her 11
th home run of the season. Tomlinson would record two hits with an RBI and a run to end game two.
In the bottom of the fourth SMSU would add to its lead with bases loaded, Grote hit a single to shortstop but would advance
Molly Bull home pushing SMSU's lead to three.
UMD found its way onto the board in the sixth inning with Jordyn Thomas hitting a sac fly that brought home Makenna Burslie recording an unearned run cutting the deficit to two.
In the top of the seventh UMD would keep its momentum and score two more runs tying the game at three. SMSU would look to win the game in the bottom of the inning with a scoring opportunity with Tomlinson at second and
Jillian Noel at first but a deep hit by Krog in center field would be caught and send the game into extra innings.
SMSU held UMD with Cull recording one of her two strikeouts in game two, and UMD hitting fly balls to shortstop and the center fielder. Waldow would reach first on a UMD error and then proceeded to advance to second and third on wild pitches.
After intentionally walking
Bailey Johnson, Grote would step into the batter's box already recording a hit and an RBI on the day. She would hit a single to shortstop allowing Schliinz to run home and score the game winning unearned run.
Shelby Bloemendaal would start in the circle for the Mustangs in game two throwing 6 1/3 innings and recording three strikeouts, before being relieved by Cull who would receive the win after throwing 1 2/3 innings recording two strikeouts allowing only two hits.
In game one SMSU was pumped for their seniors with the team totaling eight hits in five innings and starter
Megan Cull throwing her third shutout on the season recording three strikeouts and allowing three hits.
SMSU would heat up in the second inning recording six runs on six hits with Schliinz walking on bases loaded bringing home
Molly Bull. Johnson would then follow up by hitting a double deep into center field, clearing the bases.
Grote would single to shortstop and advance Johnson to third. Kebos would step up and single down the right field line bringing home both Grote and Johnson and putting SMSU up 6-0.
UMD would record a hit in both the fourth and fifth inning but would be unable to capitalize on them. SMSU would cushion its lead in the fourth with two more runs, starting with Johnson hitting her second double, and third hit, in game one scoring on a series of wild pitches.
Noel would ground out to the pitcher but Tomlinson would also find her way home ending the game and run ruling the Bulldogs in five.
SMSU will be on the road next weekend facing Minnesota State on Saturday May 7, starting at three. Then Sunday playing its last regular season doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul starting at noon.
