MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team (8-13, 3-9 NSIC) opened up its home slate with a bang, using an offensive explosion in the sixth inning to push past the Wayne State Wildcats (9-27, 4-9) 6-3 in game one before a Karlie Miller complete game shutout powered the Mustangs to a 3-0 victory in game two on Mattke Field at The Schwan Regional Event Center. 
 
In game one, the Mustangs scored six runs on five hits while sending 11 to the plate in the sixth inning after being held scoreless through five. 
 
Trailing 2-0 entering the sixth, Shelby Bloemendaal reached on a bunt single to lead the inning off before stealing second to get the Mustangs in business. Abby Russell followed it up with a double down the right field line, and later scored on an Abby Boxrud infield single to tie the game at 2-2. 
 
Paige Ahrendt got into the mix with an RBI single to score Jillian Noel and take a 3-2 lead, and Abby Boxrud scored on a wild pitch to double the lead at 4-2. 
 
Makenna Waldow delivered the dagger, reaching on a bunt single, scoring Morgan Mueller, and Miller followed right behind her while catching the defense napping to go ahead 6-2. 
 
After a WSC solo home run opened the seventh inning, Allison Christians (3-3) sent down three consecutive Wildcats to secure the victory. 
 
Bloemendaal opened the game in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) on nine hits while striking out three. Christians was summoned in the sixth and sent down six of the seven batters she faced, allowing just the home run while striking out a pair to earn the victory. 
 
The Mustangs collected eight hits in game one, with Noel and Waldow each picking up a pair. 
 
In game two, Karlie Miller (3-8) put on a show. Miller spun her third career complete game shutout, with all coming on Mattke Field. She allowed just two hits and two walks while tying a career-high with 10 strikeouts. 
 
Miller helped herself to open the scoring, lining a single up the middle to score Boxrud in the second inning. It was her first hit of the season, and just her fifth of the career. 
 
The offenses reached a stand-still until the fifth inning. A pair of outs sandwiched a Riley Kramolisch walk, and Abby Russell drilled a single through the left side with two outs to keep the offense on the field. A wild pitch set both into scoring position, and Jillian Noel delivered a clutch single up the middle, scoring both and bringing the game to its final score. 
 
Russell was the offensive leader in game two, going 3-3 with a run scored, picking up half of the six SMSU hits. 
 
The Mustangs return to play this weekend, hosting Minot State and UMary in Marshall, Minn.