Softball powers past CSP on the road

Jake Rinehart
Staff Writer

The Mavericks softball team traveled to St. Paul yesterday for a double-header contest against the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears at the Northwestern University softball field in St. Paul, MN.

The Mavericks got the victory in the first game, winning by a score of 9-7. The team was down early in the game, after allowing three runs in the first inning. The bats came alive for MSU in the third inning, though, as senior outfielder, Jess Meidl, got the ball rolling when she hit a double down the base line, allowing junior McKenzie Paap, and freshman, Rae Dose, to score. Sophomore, Amber Kral, singled to left, which brought in Meidl for the score.

Minnesota State and CSP would exchange runs through the next few innings, exchanging leads throughout the game.

The Mavericks had a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning, until sophomore, Kris McIntyre, scored on an RBI single by senior, Lizzy Swenson, for the Golden Bears.

The game was tied 6-6 heading into the final inning of play, until Meidl delivered a shot to the moon in the top of the eighth inning. Paap and Dose would come around the bases to score, after Meidl hit a monster three-run homerun to give MSU a 9-6 lead.

Senior pitcher, Haley Schanks, hit a sacrifice fly that scored junior, Carlie Hart, for CSP, making it a 9-7 game.

Meidl would finish the game with four hits in five at-bats, including one home-run and six RBIs.

Freshman pitcher, Mackenzie Ward, picked up the victory for the Mavericks on the mound. She finished a complete game with four strikeouts, three earned runs and six walks. Ward moves to 9-3 on the season.

Game two of the double-header was more of the same, as both teams scored three runs in the first inning.

Sophomore outfielder, Carly Esselman, started things off for MSU with a three-run homerun in the top of the first inning.

The second inning was capped off with another homerun, this time a solo shot to left field from sophomore, Kennedy Rieck.

The Golden Bears would counter with a run of their own in the second inning, making it a 4-4 ball game.

The game would begin to be out of reach for CSP during the third inning.

Kral was a slugger again this inning, as she hit a two RBI homerun to give the Mavs a 6-4 lead.

Junior catcher, Cori Kennedy, snuck a ball past the third baseman and shortstop later in the inning, allowing Esselman to score.

Dose was walked in the fifth inning, but an error on CSP would allow Kennedy to score, making it a 9-4 Mavericks lead.

The game would end the same way it had begun, with a homerun. This homerun that capped off the doubleheader came off the bat of freshman Hailey Forshee.

The game would end with a 10-4 Maverick victory in the second game of the double-header.

With the sweep of CSP, the Mavericks have won five consecutive games, bringing their record to 21-5 on the season. Minnesota State is also currently ranked No. 13 in the nation, according to the latest NFCA Poll.

Minnesota State will travel to Wayne State on Thursday for another double-header. They will also travel to Sioux Falls for a matchup with Augustana this Friday as well to wrap it up.

Photo: Rae Dose (pictured above) puts the barrel on the bat during Tuesday’s doubleheader versus Concordia-St. Paul. The Mavericks ended up winning both games, pushing their record to  21-5 on the season. (Courtesy of photos.paap.net)