MARSHALL, Minn. - Behind a dominant pitching performance in game one, and an offensive explosion in game two, the Southwest Minnesota State softball team (21-13, 7-1 NSIC) defeated the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (17-14, 2-6 NSIC) in a doubleheader Sunday afternoon 1-0 in game one and 9-0 (5 inn.) in game two.
GAME ONE
Ramsey Hopp (8-8) had the best performance of her freshman season so far, pitching seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters.
The seven strikeouts for Hopp are a season-high, her previous high being five against Nebraska-Kearney (Feb. 23).
Hopp, Jordyn Marsh, and Riley Kramolisch supplied the offense in game one, each with one hit.
The lone Mustangs run came in the second inning when Jordyn Marsh hit her second home run of the season to right field.
UMD's Emmie Sylvia-Cochran (2-2) pitched six innings for the Bulldogs, allowing one run on three hits, striking out two Mustang batters. Morgan McMillan and Khendal Johnson had both Bulldogs hits.
GAME TWO
Jordyn Marsh (13-4) pitched five innings for the Mustangs in the shortened contest, allowing no runs on five hits, striking out two batters.
Aliza Acker, Emma Humpal, and Kennah Bretschneider led the way for SMSU with two hits each, and six of nine total hits for the team. Acker and Paris Van Dyke led the team with 2 RBIs each.
The Mustangs scored five runs in the second inning, first off a two-run single up the middle, followed by a two-RBI double from Acker, and an RBI single up the middle by Marsh.
Bretschneider extended the Mustangs lead to 6-0 in the third inning with a single that defelected off the pitcher, allowing Lexi Ingalls to score from third base.
Humpal brought home Acker for the seventh run in the fourth inning with an RBI single through the right side.
The Mustangs would score the eighth and ninth runs in the same inning from a Bulldogs error.
Allyssa Williams (0-4) started the game for UMD pitching 1 2/3 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walkss. Ashley Mandell relieved Williams for the rest of the contest, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk. Paige Johnson led the Bulldogs with two hits.
SMSU is scheduled to face Winona State and Minnesota State at Mustang Field on Friday, Apr. 3 at 1 p.m., and Saturday, Apr. 4 at 12 p.m. respectively.
