BISMARCK, ND – In the midst of fighting for a playoff slot while facing the nation's hottest pitcher on one of the top teams in the country, the University of Mary softball team couldn't create enough scoring chances against #10 Minnesota State University. The Mavericks carried the opener 7-1 and rallied to win the second game 8-3 over the Marauders.
Taking advantage of a Marauders error on the first hitter of the game, a wild pitch and two hits, the Mavericks scored twice in the first inning to provide Coley Reis all the runs she needed. MSU scored a solo run in the second to take a 3-0 lead.
The nation's pitcher of the week after throwing two perfect games last weekend, Ries retired the first nine Marauders before
Rebekkah Keller led off the fourth inning with a single up the middle. Soon a bunt hit by
Taylor Mendez placed runners on the corners with one out. Ries dialed up the heat and struck out the next two hitters on six total pitches to end the Marauders threat.
Down 7-0 in the sixth, the Marauders snapped Ries' 58 straight scoreless innings streak. After singles by
Hannah Holtz and
Taylor Mendez and a walk by
Amber Gamboa loaded the bases with one out, a walk to Alto forced home Holtz with the Marauders lone run of the game.
With a pair of infield hits, Mendez posted two of the Marauders four hits.
Amber Kral had three hits and two RBIs and Jess Meidl recorded two hits and two RBIs and scored three times.
Ries struck out 14 Marauders in her seven-inning complete game, allowing four hits and three walks.
The Marauders opened the scoring in game two. Keller, who led off with a single, stole second and reached third when the Mavericks shortstop couldn't catch the throw. A groundout by Mendez allowed Keller to score on a bang-bang play at the plate, providing UMary its first lead of the day at 1-0.
Held scoreless the first two innings by
Brieann Backes, the Mavericks broke through with two runs in the third and fourth innings. UMary errors in both innings allowed three of the Minnesota State runs to go down as unearned.
Down 5-0 after five and having left a runner on base in each of the first four innings and two in the fifth, the Marauders broke through in the sixth. Crutchfield led off the inning with a single through the right side. One out later
Keegan Wickman laced a double to left center field to score Crutchfield.
Madison Jahner immediately followed with a run-scoring double crushed deep to right. With the tying run at the plate and two outs, MSU brought Ries into the game and the game one starting pitcher closed out the Marauders big inning on a strikeout to leave MSU with a 5-3 lead. The Mavericks salted away the game with three runs in the top of the seventh.
With one day left in the regular season and two games yet to play, the Marauders remain locked in a battle for the final playoff slot. UMary slipped to 11
th place and the top ten teams qualify for the Northern Sun tournament. The Marauders are 19-33 overall and 13-15 in the NSIC.
Next the Marauders host Concordia-St. Paul on Sunday, April 30, on campus at UMary's freshly-renovated softball field. First pitch is set for noon.
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