MARSHALL, Minn.—The Southwest Minnesota State softball team made a valiant effort against the Minnesota State Mavericks, but ended up dropping both games of a doubleheader, 4-3 and 5-4, on Saturday afternoon at Mustang Field.

SMSU ends the regular season 19-32 overall and 10-19 in conference play. The fate of the Mustangs lies in the hands of Northern State, which needs to lose both games against UMC tomorrow for SMSU to advance to the NSIC Tournament.

In game one, MSU got the scoring started right away in the first inning. A pair of extra-base hits from the two and three hitters plated the first run of the game and pushed the Mavericks ahead 1-0.

SMSU countered in the bottom of the inning, with Riley Kramolisch getting things started by taking advantage of a fielding error before moving to second on a sac bunt from Makenna Waldow. Abby Russell flew out to center field to advance the runner to third before Jillian Noel does as she always does, singling through the right side to plate Kramolisch and tie the game.

After a quick one-two-three defensive inning, the Mustang bats got back to work in the bottom of the second. Abby Boxrud singled to right-center before advancing on a sac bunt from Brynn Webber. Two batters later, Kramolisch came up big with a single up the middle to score the runner and give SMSU its only lead of the afternoon.

However, the lead did not last long, as the Mavericks responded in the third. Back-to-back singles to start the inning put MSU in a good spot before a triple right field from Courtney Kessler plated two both runners and pushed the Mavericks back into the lead at 3-2.

Both offenses fell quiet until a two-out rally ignited the Mustangs in the bottom of the sixth. After the first two batters were retired, Webber doubled to left-center before Grace Anderson drew a walk in a pinch-hit situation. Again it was Kramolisch coming through with a big hit, sending a ball back up the middle to score Webber and even the game once again. 

Minnesota State would not go away, rallying in the top of the seventh. A lead-off walk followed by a sac bunt set the Mavericks up with a runner in scoring position. The inning seemed as if it was close to wrapping up after a fly out secured the second out. However, Marina Carter would single up the middle to plate the runner on second and reclaim the lead.

Abby Russell opened the bottom of the seventh with a single up the middle before Noel walked to put two runners on base with no outs. Mikayla Berge pinch ran for Noel but was out the following play on a force at second base. Back-to-back fly outs cut the threat short, giving MSU the win.

Morgyn Otte (8-13) was tabbed the loss in game one after allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out five. Kacy Nickerson (1-1) punched the last out in the sixth inning when the game was tied, earning the win.

MSU began game two similarly to the first, scoring right away to open the game. Back-to-back singles and a steal of third put runners on the corners with no outs early in the first. Kylie Sullivan smacked a single through the left side to score the runner on third before both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Izzy Hycnar took advantage of the runners in scoring position, driving a ball back up the middle to plate both runs and put the Mavericks up 3-0. 

SMSU had a response in the second inning once again. Makenna Waldow singled to left field before advancing on a passed ball to put herself in scoring position for Abby Russell. In a 1-2 count, Russell turned on a pitch down the middle and sent it over the left field wall for her first home run of the season. 

The Mustang bats got back to work in the bottom of the second with Abby Boxrud and Paris Van Dyke both drawing walks to put two runners on for Kramolisch. Kramolisch again had a big hit, sending a steaming grounder back up the middle to score Boxrud and tie the game.

MSU responded right away in the top of the third taking advantage of an error in center field to place a runner in scoring position with one out. Izzy Hycnar doubled to left field to score the run and put MSU back into the lead.

A home run from Ella Schulz in the fifth inning gave MSU a two-run advantage before SMSU heated up again in the sixth. Boxrud reached first on an infield single before being moved to second on a sac bunt. This time it was Paris Van Dyke who prevailed for the Mustangs, singling up the middle to plate Boxrud and cut the deficit to one run.

McKayla Armbruster entered in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on to earn the save. Karlie Miller (11-17) was given the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and five walks, striking out three.

The two games were the final in the brown and gold for seniors Jillian Noel, Makenna Waldow, Molly Bull and Paige Ahrendt.