MARSHALL, Minn. -- The University of Sioux Falls (13-10 overall, 1-1 NSIC) scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to rally for an 11-7 victory over Southwest Minnesota State (9-16, 1-1), but
Karlie Miller would throw a gem to help the Mustangs split the doubleheader with a 3-0 victory in the NSIC softball opener for both teams on Monday afternoon at the Schwan Regional Event Center.
SMSU held a 7-4 lead after three innings of play, but USF rallied with single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, before scoring five unearned runs in the seventh to earn the victory.
USF would outhit SMSU 12-7 in game one, with
Bailey Johnson and
Emily Tatur each going 2 for 3 to lead the offense.
The Cougars would open the scoring in the first inning with a two-run error in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.
SMSU would counter in the second with an
Abby Russell groundout to score
Patia Wolfe, and Johnson would hand the Mustangs the lead with a three-run shot to go into the third inning with a 4-2 advantage.
USF would strike for two in the third with a one-out RBI double and a two-out RBI double to tie the game at 4-4, but
Makenna Waldow would reclaim the lead in the bottom of the inning, singling to right center to score
Shelby Bloemendaal, and after a double steal with runners on the corners to bring in Waldow, Tatur would deliver a two-out single to give SMSU a 7-4 lead.
USF would begin to cut into the lead in the fourth with a two-out single and would add one in the sixth after a triple, walk and single to open the frame and go down 7-6.
Morgyn Otte would come into the game with a pair of runners on and no outs but would slam the door on USF comeback hopes on a foul out and a strikeout before getting an out on an over-slide of third base to escape danger. Before the five-run comeback in the seventh.
Otte (0-3) would be dealt the tough luck loss in relief, going the final two innings, giving up five unearned runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts.
Shelby Bloemendaal would throw the first five innings for the Mustangs, giving up six runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks.
Karlie Miller (3-7) would shine in the circle in game two, throwing a complete game shutout, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out five.
The Mustangs would record nine hits in game two, with
Molly Bull and Wolfe each going 2 for 3 in the bottom half of the order to balance the offense.
Johnson became the fifth hitter in program history to collect 200 career hits after a first inning single past the first baseman, but with runners on the corners and one out, USF would get a double play off a lineout back to the pitcher from
Jillian Noel.
SMSU would strike first in the second inning. After a
Molly Bull double and Wolfe single with one out, Waldow would execute a squeeze bunt, bringing home Bull and taking an early 1-0 lead.
After holding USF hitless for the first three innings, Miller would run into trouble in the fourth. An error, single, and error would load the bases with no outs, but after getting a runner out at home on a wild pitch, she would settle in, going on the receiving end of a pop out before giving up a flyout to Tatur to get out of the jam.
SMSU would double their lead in the fifth inning. Shwaluk would reach on a bunt single and, after a stolen base with two outs, Tatur would drive a 2-2 pitch up the middle to drive her in and take the 2-0 lead.
The Mustangs would add insurance in the sixth when a Noel single, Miller sac bunt, Bull single, and Wolfe single would score
Maddie Shwaluk, who entered as a pinch runner for Noel, and give SMSU a 3-0 lead.
USF would bring the tying run to the plate with two outs in the seventh, but Miller would force a flyout to left to close the victory.
SMSU hits the road starting Saturday, traveling to Winona State for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
