Softball steals two of three on the weekend

The women gained some momentum this past weekend, improving their record to 20-14 

Merle Stramm
Staff Writer

This weekend, the Mavericks’ softball team faced off against the Augustana Vikings and Wayne State Warriors in two double headers. After two losses on Saturday, MSU was able to come back strong with two wins on Sunday. 

Augustana started off Saturday’s games by scoring five runs during the top of the first and second inning. 

The Mavericks answered at the bottom of the second due to a throwing error on a fielder’s choice, allowing sophomore Tory Richards and junior Carly Esselman to score.

Augustana then went on to conclude the game with another run at the top of the seventh with a 6-2 win for the Vikings. 

During the next game, Maverick pitcher Lexi Schoper allowed only one hit for the Vikings during the first two innings. 

However, Augustana would then score within the three following innings, leaving Mankato down 6-0. 

Freshman outfielder Kayla Monky scored a run on a double by sophomore Courtney Potter. Unfortunately for the Mavericks though,

Augustana answered quickly with six more runs on seven hits, which left the Mavericks trailing 12-1. 

Richards batted a home run for the Mavericks at the bottom of the sixth inning, but the game then concluded in six innings, 12-2.

Coming off of two losses, the Mavericks were hungry to score during Sunday’s games against Wayne State, and they surely did not disappoint.

Sunday started out with a win for the Mavericks in the first game. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, a walk for freshman Haylee Bridges allowed for redshirt freshman Hannah Hastings to score. 

Shortly after, a single up the middle by Monky lead to two more runs which put the Mavericks up 3-0.

A home run for Wayne State by infielder Kim Vidlak allowed for the only Wildcat score of the game. After a couple more hits for each team but no scores, the game ended with a Maverick win by a score of 3-1. 

Mankato softball would earn another win during the second game. 

Singles by Esselman and Potter during the second inning would drive in two RBIs apiece, ensuring a lead for the Mavericks at 4-0 in the early half of the game. 

After a score by Wayne State at the top of the fourth, MSU was able to answer with a score of their own through a score by Esselman on a wild pitch. 

Little hits were allowed during the following innings until a sacrifice fly by Potter drove again Esselman home for the 6-1, which concluded the last game of the weekend for the Mavericks, putting the team’s current record at 20-14. 

Up next, the softball team will play Southwest Minnesota State Wednesday in Marshall. They play a two-game doubleheader, with games scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Header photo coutresy of Keith Paap.