ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team fell twice to St. Cloud State, 5-1 and 5-0, in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader played inside the Husky Dome on Saturday.

SMSU drops to 22-18 overall and 4-10 in the NSIC after suffering its sixth consecutive loss. SCSU moves to 28-11 overall and 7-4 in the conference.

The Huskies used a hefty four-run fourth inning and never looked back to take game one 5-0. Karlie Miller (9-8) was given the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk, while picking up six strikeouts. 

SMSU's lone threat of game one came in the second inning, when the Mustangs loaded the bases. An obstruction call at second base would put an end to the threat and drain the Mustangs' momentum.

Hannah Harms homered to center field with two outs to put SCSU up 1-0 after two innings.

An uneventful third inning led to a big fourth for the Huskies. SCSU only had two hits in the fourth, forcing SMSU into five fielder's choice plays and an error to pile in four runs.

The Mustangs were limited to four hits in game one, while the Huskies recorded seven hits.

Much like game one, the Huskies used a four-run inning to take a commanding lead over the Mustangs.

SMSU began the second game by using a pair of hits to put two runners in scoring position before a groundout ended the inning and stopped the threat.

The Mustangs applied the pressure again by putting another pair of runners in scoring position in the third before a groundout, popout, and flyout extinguished the risk and kept SMSU scoreless.

A lead-off walk and catcher's interference put two Huskies on base before two doubles and a single scored three runs to put SCSU up 3-0 with only one out. Jordyn Marsh entered in relief and limited the damage to only one more run after retiring the next two batters.

SMSU responded by scoring its lone run of the day in the next inning. Emma Humpal recorded a lead-off single before Paris Van Dyke launched a ball into the right-center field gap to score Humpal and cut the deficit to three. Van Dyke advanced to third but back-to-back fly outs put a close to the inning.

An RBI single by Reese Holzhueter drove in the final Husky run and put the game to a close.

Morgyn Otte (7-7) was tabbed with the loss in game two after allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks while picking up four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Jordyn Marsh pitched the remainder of the game, holding SCSU to one run on three hits and a walk, while striking out five.

SMSU gathered seven hits in game two, with Riley Kramolisch going 3 for 4 at the plate.

The Mustangs are back in action tomorrow playing a doubleheader against Minnesota Duluth inside the Husky Dome, starting at 10 a.m.