MANKATO, Minn. – On Saturday night, the Southwest Minnesota State University softball team began the 2024 season with a gutsy 6-4 win over Upper Iowa at the Minnesota State Dome Invite.
SMSU moves to 1-0 overall while UIU drops to 1-3 on the season.
Karlie Miller (1-0) was solid in the circle, tossing a complete game and allowing seven hits, four runs (three earned), while walking four and striking out six.
The Peacocks kicked off the scoring, capitalizing on an SMSU error to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
SMSU responded quickly, as
Molly Bull notched a single to lead off the second inning.
Abby Boxrud advanced Bull to second on a sacrifice bunt and Paige Ahrednt scored the runner with a single up the middle to even the score at 1-1.
Ahrendt got caught stealing before
Mikayla Berge hit a single up the middle before advancing to second base on an error.
Emma Humpal would drive her in with a single.
The Peacocks countered in the bottom of the third inning, using a sac fly from Rae VanMilligan to even the score at 2-2.
Riley Kramolisch used a bunt to get on base to start the fifth inning.
Brynn Webber laid down a sac bunt to advance Kramolisch into scoring position. Following a walk for
Jillian Noel,
Molly Bull drove a grounder bobbled by the second baseman, scoring Kramolisch.
A double-steal by SMSU scored Noel from third and gave the Mustangs the 4-2 lead after the top of the inning. UIU once again countered, notching two runs in quick succession to tie the game once again.
An uneventful sixth inning turned into an action-packed seventh inning for the Mustangs.
Brynn Webber doubled down the first base line to get into scoring position early for SMSU.
Abby Russell drove a ball up the middle to score Webber but was thrown out on her way to third. Noel singled up the middle and was thrown out at home the batter after.
Miller finished the game throwing seven innings, allowing seven hits, four runs (three earned), walking four and striking out six.
The Mustangs collected 14 hits between nine players, striking out just once.
UP NEXT
SMSU closes its weekend at the Minnesota State Dome Invite tomorrow with two games. The Mustangs play Emporia State (Kan.) at 11:15 a.m., before playing host Minnesota State at 1:30 p.m.
