MARSHALL, Minn. - In a race to clinch a spot in the NSIC Tournament, the Southwest Minnesota State softball team (27-23, 13-11 NSIC) took a massive step forward sweeping the Northern State Wolves (18-24) (8-16 NSIC) Friday afternoon, taking game one 7-4 and game two (five innings) 9-0.
GAME ONE
Ramsey Hopp started the game for the Mustangs on the mound, pitching four innings allowing four earned runs on six hits, striking out two batters. Jordyn Marsh (18-7) earned the win in relief of Hopp pitching the remaining three scoreless innings allowing just one hit with four strikeouts.
The Mustang bats were in full force game one with 12 altogether, which is tied for second most in a game this season. Hopp, Riley Kramolisch, Paris Van Dyke, and Carley Stych led the way with two hits each. Hopp and Lexi Ingalls led in RBIs with two, while Van Dyke led in runs with two.
Hopp kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the first with a two-RBI single through the right side of the infield.
The Wolves would tie the game back at 2-2 the next half inning with RBIs from Dessa Bryant and Kennedy Boyer.
Van Dyke gave the Mustangs the lead again in the bottom half of the second inning with a double off the left center fence, which allowed Kaylee Hafermann to score from third base. Van Dyke would score on a wild pitch the next batter.
Boyer again delivered for NSU in the fourth inning with her second RBI of the day, before the Wolves would once again tie the game after a Marsh wild pitch in the top off the fifth inning.
Ingalls delivered the game winning runs on a two-RBI single up the middle, before scoring herself on a single from Stych to add the seventh and final run for the Mustangs.
McKenzie Wanner started for NSU pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing four earned runs on nine hits. Riley O'Connell (3-4) was credited with a loss pitching 3 2/3 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with three strikeouts. Boyer led the Wolves with two RBIs and tied with Alicia Jeanson in hits, both with two.
GAME TWO
Jordyn Marsh (19-7) pitched five shutout innings for the Mustangs, allowing only two hits and striking out two batters.
Six different batters recorded hits for the Mustangs in game two with Riley Kramolisch leading the way with two, while Emma Humpal led in RBIs with three, and Lexi Ingalls led in runs scored with two.
The Mustangs scored their first run of the game in the third inning with a Kramolisch double down the left field line which allowed Ingalls to score from second.
SMSU began the scoring in their eight-run fourth inning with four straight bases-loaded singles from Grace Anderson, Carley Stych, Kramolisch, and Paris Van Dyke. Alize Acker would reach on a fielder's choice which scored the sixth run of the game.
Humpal would hit a three-run home run the next batter, her fourth of the season, which proved to be the eventual game ending runs.
Aune Boben (3-7) started for the Wolves on the mound pitching 3 1/3 innings allowing four earned runs on just one hit, striking out one batter. Dessa Bryant faced four batters without recording an out in the fourth inning allowing four earned runs, while Tess Miller pitched 2/3 innings allowing one earned run on two hits. Tevan Bryant and Madi Jones recorded the two hits for NSU.
SMSU plays host to Jamestown Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Mustang Field, where the Mustangs will be celebrating Alumni Day as well as Riley Kramolisch (Senior) Day.
