MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team concluded the weekend with a split against Bemidji State on Saturday afternoon on Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center.
SMSU falls to 20-10 overall and 2-2 in conference play, while BSU moves to 14-14 overall and 1-3 NSIC.
Game One (5-1, SMSU)
Karlie Miller (8-4) earned the win in game one, allowing four hits with one earned run while striking out two batters in four innings. Jordyn Marsh picked up her fifth save of the season after striking out four batters in three relief innings. The Beavers' Danica Sarff (1-2) was dealt the loss in game one, giving up five hits and five earned runs.
The Mustangs got on the board quickly using a single by Riley Kramolisch before Abby Boxrud would lay down a SAC bunt to move her into scoring position. A pair of wild pitches allowed Kramolisch to score to put SMSU up 1-0.
A defensive battle would keep the game quiet until an explosive fourth inning by the Mustangs.
Abby Russell would kick things off with a single before a two-out triple by Brynn Webber plated another run for SMSU. The next at-bat saw Karlie Miller hit a perfectly placed ball down the left field line for an RBI double. Miller advanced to third off another wild pitch and scored after Lexi Ingalls tripled to left center. The final run of the game would come from an RBI single by Grace Anderson.
The Beavers used a pair of singles, and a SAC fly to score their lone run of game one.
SMSU totaled seven hits with Riley Kramolisch leading the bats going 2 for 4 at the plate, while Webber, Miller, Ingalls, and Anderson each tallied one RBI.
Game Two (8-4, BSU)
Morgyn Otte (6-4) was dealt the loss in game two, surrendering six hits and five earned runs while striking out a pair in 2 1/3 innings. BSU's Kennedy Joachim (8-4) earned the win, giving up seven hits and four earned runs, while striking out eight batters in a complete game.
The game started quietly before BSU would plate its first run in the bottom half of the second inning to go ahead 1-0.
The bottom half of the third inning saw BSU plate four runs using an obstruction call at home plate, which allowed for a double and single to extend the Beaver lead to 5-0.
The Mustangs would get the bats going in the fourth inning by loading the bases from a pair of singles and a walk. Karlie Miller came in clutch in a full count with a two-out single to score two runs before Kramolisch doubled to left field to add two more runs and cut the deficit to one.
The Beavers would capitalize on three fielding errors, a passed ball, and a single to plate three unearned runs and put the game out of reach at 8-4.
SMSU tallied seven hits in game two with Kramolisch leading the bats going 2 for 3 at the plate, while recording two RBIs. Miller went 1 for 1 at the plate, also tallying two RBIs.
The Mustangs continue NSIC action at home on Wednesday, March 26 with a doubleheader against Augustana with the first pitch slated for 2 p.m.
