Box Score ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Minot State University had some tense moments to end game 1.

After taking a 7-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth, the Beavers watched as Minnesota Duluth scratched back into the game with a 5-run sixth.

But Mandy Greenberg (Sr., P, Winnipeg, Manitoba) came on to essentially save her own win, locking down the Bulldogs over the final inning and a third to help the Beavers hold on for a 7-6 win over UMD in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball Sunday at St. Cloud State's Husky Dome.

The Beavers (31-6 overall, 13-5 NSIC) couldn't hold off the Bulldogs for a sweep however, as UMD (34-10, 14-4) took game 2 3-0 to stay a game ahead of Minot State for third in the NSIC. Minot State finished its Husky Dome swing with a 5-1 record.

“We played pretty well for six innings, but we couldn't keep it going,” said MISU head coach Bill Triplett. “It was frustrating because if we shut the door on them in the sixth, it might have been a different series. Even with the win, it seemed like they carried the momentum into the second game and we didn't match that.”

Greenberg (17-2) was solid through five innings, but labored in the sixth. She gave up two runs in the inning before giving away to Tiffany Friesen (Sr., P/3B, Morden, Manitoba). Friesen, however, gave up three runs on three hits and a walk in just 2/3 innings. Greenberg came back in and got the Beavers out of the sixth and shutout UMD in the seventh.

“Mandy showed some grit and determination after coming back in,” Triplett said. “That's tough to do and it doesn't happen very often. She had just enough left to get us out of that jam.”

Minot State was cruising into the sixth behind home runs by Katie Backes (Jr., UTL, Minot, N.D.) and Jen Dixon (Jr., OF/P, Brandon, Manitoba). Backes gave MISU a 5-1 lead with a solo shot in the fifth and Dixon made it 7-1 with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth.

“Jen just hasn't been seeing any pitches to hit,” Triplett said. “Everybody has pitched around her. St. Cloud State walked her three times and hit her twice. It was nice to see her get some pitches and she made the most of it.”

Dixon and Backes both finished two RBIs for the Beavers. Backes, Brittany Thorson (Fr., SS/P, El Paso, Texas), Stacy Fournier (Jr., INF, Langley, British Columbia) and Ali Cygan (So., SS, Bozeman, Mont.) all finished with two hits in the win.

Game 2 saw the Bulldogs open an early lead, getting three runs in the bottom of the third on RBIs by Kierra Jeffers and Sami Schnyder. Schnyder did the most damage as she knocked in two with a double to right center.

Those runs stood as UMD pitcher Cayli Sadler shut out Minot State for just the second shutout pitched against the Beavers this season. She gave up just five MISU hits, while striking out three.

Michaela Goris, Ashley Lewis and Schnyder all finished two hits for UMD in the win.

Friesen suffered just her fourth loss (12-4) of the season, but was solid outside the third inning. She gave up eight hits and three runs while striking out four batters in the loss. Dixon finished with two hits to lead the offense.

Minot State is scheduled to play at home against Minnesota Crookston Wednesday.

 – GO BEAVERS –