MANKATO, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team dropped two close games against Minot State University inside the MSU Dome on Saturday afternoon.
MSU improves to 20-13 on the year and 8-2 in conference play, while SMSU drops to 22-14 on the season and 4-6 in the NSIC.
In game one,
Karlie Miller (9-6) was dealt the loss surrendering four runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out six batters in a complete game.
The Beavers would kick things off with a home run in the second inning to lead 1-0.
The Mustangs would tie the game in the bottom half of the third inning from an
Abby Russell single, before she advanced to third and later scored off an
Emma Humpal ground out to put SMSU ahead 2-1.
MSU used a fielder's choice and a double to re-tie the game in the top of the fourth.
A defensive battle between the teams kept the game at a standstill until Minot State tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. The Mustangs put a runner in scoring position but came up short and fell 4-2 in game one.
SMSU tallied four hits with
Abby Russell leading the bats going 2 for 4 and recording one RBI.
Jordyn Marsh (6-3) pitched three innings and was tabbed with the loss in game two surrendering one earned run on three hits while striking out five batters.
SMSU would score the first run from another Russell single in the bottom half of the first inning.
MSU yet again responded by plating two runs in the third inning to lead 2-1.
The Mustangs countered using an
Abby Russell double to left center to tie the game 2-2 in the following inning.
The Beavers hit a pair of doubles to jump out to a 3-2 lead after the fifth.
SMSU threatened in the bottom of the sixth by putting two runners on base before a strikeout ended the inning.
The Mustangs garnered momentum in the bottom of the seventh by putting a runner in scoring position with only one out. The final play of the game saw Kramolisch ground out to the pitcher before SMSU was caught in a rundown going home and ultimately tagged out.
SMSU is back in the diamond on April 1, with a Tuesday meeting at Wayne State with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
