Mavericks Softball Prevails in 10 Innings over Wildcats in NSIC Tournament

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — It came down to extra innings Thursday at Bowden Field, but it was Minnesota State that was able to come away with the win as the Mavericks bested Wayne State 5-4 in 10 innings in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals.

With the win, MSU improves to 38-17 on the season. With the loss, WSC finishes its season with a 31-24 record. Minnesota State will take on the winner of the game between Winona State and Concordia-St. Paul in the semifinals of the NSIC Tournament on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Bowden Field.

“It was a great team win,” head coach Lori Meyer said. We had amazing will to dig deep and find ways to tie the game and win it. I am proved of the team’s grit and perseverance.”

Junior Sailor Hall (13-5) picked up the win in relief as she allowed just one run in 2.0 innings, while striking out one batter. Sophomore Maddie Oetzman started the game for the Mavericks and allowed three runs in 7.1 innings, while striking out a season-high nine batters.

Kennadi Borngrebe (13-10) took the loss in relief as she allowed one run in 2.1 innings. Samantha Felt threw 5.0 innings in relief and allowed three runs, while striking out three.

The game remained scoreless into the bottom of the second inning as Oetzman allowed just one single, while senior Marina Carter made another diving catch in center field. Then with one out in the bottom of the second freshman Hannah Tong blasted a solo home run over the left field fence to put MSU up 1-0. This was Tong’s second home run of the season.

After a scoreless third inning the game moved into the fourth with the Mavericks still leading 1-0. WSC’s leadoff hitter Emilee Marth then hit a home run to left center to tie the game at 1-1. The Wildcats managed to get another base runner via a walk but a pop up and two strikeouts ended the inning.

The sixth inning saw both teams get a runner into scoring position but neither was able to get the go ahead run across the plate. Borngrebe notched a one-out double in the top of the inning, but a pop up and a strikeout ended the threat. In the bottom of the inning, junior Gianna Lara notched a two-out single. Lara then moved up to third via a single from Tong and a WSC error in center field. Felt then got the next Maverick to ground out to shortstop to end the threat.

Both teams left a runner on base in the seventh inning as the game went to extra innings still tied 1-1. With one on and one out in the top of the eighth WSC’s Borngrebe doubled down the left field line to put runners on first and second. Senior Sophia Del Vecchio then came in for Oetzman. Del Vecchio struck out the next batter, but a single from Maddie Scobee would drive in both runners to put the Wildcats up 3-1. WSC would add another run off an RBI-single to increase its lead to 4-1 before a lineout ended the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, sophomore Izzy Hycnar led off the inning with her first home run of the season to right field to cut WSC’s lead to 4-2. Sophomore Maddie Helin and Lara then reached base via a single and a walk before Borngrebe took over in the circle for the Wildcats. A ground out moved the runners up a base, before a pinch hit double from freshman Ryanne Mellum tied the game at 4-4 before Wayne State could get out of the inning.

After a turning a double play to end the top half of the ninth inning, the Mavericks loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning. Borngrebe was then able to get a strikeout and a ground out to get out of the jam as the game went into the tenth inning.

WSC again left a runner on base in the top of the 10th as the game went to the bottom of the inning still tied at 4-4. Walks to Mellum and sophomore Chole Brandt put runners on first and second with nobody out. A fielder’s choice kept runners at first and second, before a single up the middle by freshman Carly Kimmes brought Brandt around to score the game winning run as the Mavericks claimed the 5-4 win.

Behrends and Mellum each recorded two hits in the game, while five different Mavericks scored a run. Mellum drove in two runs as well.