Softball take two on the road against SMSU

The team traveled on the road to Marshall and squeak out two wins

Brady Olson
Staff Writer

The MSU softball team had a fruitful Tuesday afternoon in Marshall, sweeping the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs by scores of 5-2 and 1-0.

In the opener, the Mustangs would get the early advantage, scoring two runs in the opening inning. 

The Mavericks would not be able to break through until the third inning, when sophomore Torey Richards’ single would score senior Corey Kennedy, bringing the Mavs’ deficit to one.

The next two innings would remain scoreless for both sides. 

In the top of the sixth, however, MSU would put together a complete inning. The Mavs would score four runs on six hits, punctuated by an RBI double from sophomore Emma Schifferle. 

SMSU would get two more innings to climb out of their hole, but sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Ward would only allow one more hit in the game. Ward would finish the day with a complete game, eight strikeouts, and the win as the Mavericks rolled to a 5-2 victory.

The second game would be less about offense, as both teams would struggle in getting people on base. 

Sophomore pitches Lexi Schoper would shut down the Mustangs, pitching a three-hit shutout along with five strikeouts. Only one Mustang would reach third base, and Schoper would end the game by retiring the final 13 batters.

On the offensive end, the Mavs spent just as much time struggling at the plate. Freshman Kayla Moky would hit a single to lead off the game, but her at-bat would be followed by 15 consecutive outs. 

In the sixth inning, the Mavs would string together a couple of hits, but couldn’t get past second base. The final hit of the day would ultimately be the decider, as Kennedy’s leadoff home run in the seventh would propel the Mavs to a 1-0 win.

With the wins the Mavericks advance their record to 22-14, along with 7-7 in NSIC play. The Mavs will next play on Saturday, when they will play a road doubleheader against the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Header photo courtesy of Keith Paap.