Softball sweeps two NSIC foes
The Minnesota State Maverick softball team had a very successful weekend at home. MSU played Minot State University Saturday and the University of Mary Sunday. The Mavericks swept Minot State 7-3 in game one and 8-0 in game two, only going to six innings. Against the University of Mary, MSU won 8-0 in six innings in game one and 11-1 in five innings for game two.
Saturday’s games were also considered “Senior Day.” Before the start of game one at 1p.m., the four Maverick seniors Emily Bransky, Karli DesLauriers, Tatum Klein and Katie Koponen were honored. The senior’s parents accompanied them on the field where they were presented with a custom canvas picture of themselves and took pictures with the coaches, parents and each other.
Game one started off very well for the Mavs. Junior Coley Ries started the game for MSU and earned her ninteenth win of the year (19-5). She pitched five innings and recorded six strikeouts, allowing just one hit. Koponen came in during the sixth inning and allowed five hits and three runs. Sophomore Libby Bemis came in to close out the game in the seventh inning and allowed no hits and no runs.
The Mavericks offense came alive in the second inning of game one were they recorded six hits and five runs. Their last two runs came in the third inning. Sophomre Jess Meidl and junior Ashley Thell each finished the game with two hits and two runs. Klein and freshman McKenzie Paap recorded two hits and one stolen base each in game one.
Game two flew by, as the Mavericks were able to reach an 8-0 score in just five innings against Minot. Bemis got the win, her twelvth of the season and allowed only one hit and stuck out four batters.
Paap completely dominated at the plate during the game, going 2-4 at bat and grabbing six RBIs. Freshman Cori Kennedy, Thell and DesLauriers each scored two runs.
Sunday the Purple and Gold were able to capture two more NSIC conference wins. Ries started game one for the Mavericks, pitching five innings, allowing only one hit and striking out nine batters before Bemis came in for relief in the sixth and final inning.
Paap had another impressive game as she went 3-3 from the plate with three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.
It only took the Mavericks five innings to get the job done in game two. Ries started the game again and picked up her second win of the day and third for the weekend. Ries allowed three hits and just one run before Bemis came in for the fourth and fifth innings, striking out three batters and allowing no runs.
The Mavericks scored two runs in the first inning; five is the second, one in the third and three in the fourth on 13 hits.
Thell excelled for MSU, going 3-3 from the plate with two RBIs and one run scored. Paap rounded out the weekend with two more hits, two RBIs and one run scored.
MSU will have their last home-regular season doubleheader Thursday, April 21 against Southwest Minnesota State. The games are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday but moved due to poor weather conditions.
Photo: Junior Ashley Thell (above) is hitting .319 for the Mavericks this season. In her last game against University of Mary, she went 3 for 3 with two RBI, in the 11-1 Maverick victory. (Yohanes Ashenafi/The Reporter)