WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team dominated on Tuesday with a sweep, first earning a 4-2 win over Southern Connecticut State before using a five-run fifth inning to claim a 5-2 victory over Lake Erie College (Pa.) at the DiamondPlex.
SMSU moves to 8-13 on the year and is now 5-5 at THE Spring Games.
Karlie Miller (5-6) battled the Owls in game one, earning the victory in a complete game performance. Miller allowed two runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out seven batters, totaling 15 strikeouts over her last two starts. Ashley Lewis (0-2) was dealt the loss, allowing four runs on 11 hits and two walks while tallying six strikeouts.
SCS started the scoring in the first inning with Rachel Miller launching a triple down two outs to score the first Owl run. The Owls kept their foot on the gas in the second inning, again cashing in a run with two outs. Gabriella Festa knocked a single up the middle to plate the runner from second and push the lead to 2-0.
SMSU responded with a three-run fourth inning to retake control of the game.
Molly Bull got on base with a lead-off single before
Karlie Miller drove a double into the left-center gap to score her.
Abby Boxrud was next to deliver a run, singling to the shortstop to bring Miller home and tie the game 2-2.
Makenna Waldow stepped up and advanced Boxrud to second on a bunt, reaching first by beating out the throw. Riley Kramolish advanced both runners on a groundout before Mikalyla Berge walked to load the bases. SMSU got lucky as Boxrud scored on a hit-and-run attempt to give the Mustangs the lead.
Boxrud doubled in the sixth to lead off the inning before Kramolisch hit a single through the right side to score the insurance run.
SMSU totaled 11 hits in the contest, with
Abby Boxrud leading the way going 3 for 3 at the plate and scoring two runs. The Mustangs struck out six times.
Morgyn Otte (3-5) conquered the Storm, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out a season-high six batters. Sydney Murray (0-1) was tabbed with the loss allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three.
LEC earned the first run of the game off a home run to center field by Emma Spahr, giving the Storm the early 1-0 lead.
Brynn Webber walked to start the SMSU rally in the fifth and stole second the play after. With Webber in scoring position, Boxrud singled and advanced Webber to third before Waldow plated the runner to tie the game 1-1.
Riley Kramolisch reached first on a bunt and loaded the bases for
Mikayla Berge. Berge popped a ball to deep center field and Boxrud tagged to score the second SMSU run.
Abby Russell walked in the following at-bat to again load the bases, this time for the Mustang power hitter, Jillan Noel. Noel drove a hard liner to left field that scored all three baserunners, pushing the SMSU lead to 5-1.
LEC tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fifth before being stumped by
Karlie Miller, who threw the final two innings of the game in relief. Miller (1) earned the save, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters.
The Mustangs collected seven hits with Noel and Kramolisch each tallying a pair. Noel drove in three runs in the win.
SMSU wraps up play at THE Spring Games tomorrow, first facing off with McKendree (Ill.) at 9:15 a.m., then taking on Wayne State (Mich.) at 11:30 a.m., at the DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, Fla.
