LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Minot State University continued to pound out hits and score runs as the Beavers topped Northwest Nazarene 9-4 to finish a day 1 sweep at the Montana State-Billings Desert Stinger played Friday at Majestic Park.

Minot State (2-0 overall) scored 25 runs in two games to go 2-0 on the first day for the third time in as many years and improved to 11-11 overall in their fifth time playing in the event. MSU is 10-5 over the past four seasons.

In game 2 against NNU, the Beavers got a big lift from the top and bottom of the order. Leadoff hitter Jordan Grant (So., CF, Adelnato, Calif.) and Leyna Downey (Sr., OF/P, Missoula, Mont.) both finished with two hits as Grant scored two runs and Downey knocked in a run for MSU.

Downey got the Beavers on the board in the second, singling home Rachel Burdette (So., UTL, Temecula, Calif.) who started the inning with a single. Ali Cygan (Sr., SS, Bozeman, Mont.) made it 3-0 three batters later with a double scoring Grant and Melissa Bell (Sr., UTL, Belgrade, Mont.).

Cygan finished the game going 1 for 4 at the plate with three RBIs to give her five for the tournament after two games.
Northwest Nazarene (0-3) cut the lead to 3-2 as Whitney Carlton hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth, but the Beavers answered with four in the bottom of the inning and two more in the bottom of the fifth.

Beavers' starter Mindy Lorimor (Sr., P, Thurman, Iowa) gave up just eight hits and four runs – three earned – in a complete-game win. She walked three batters, but struck out 10 in her first game of the season.

Ali Schauer and Kiahna Brown each had two hits for NNU, while Taylor Crab suffered the loss, going three innings and giving up five runs.

Bell and Ashley Hill (Fr., 1B, Mesa, Ariz.) both drove in runs to join Cygan and Downey with RBIs. The Beavers finished with nine hits and struck out just four times in the game, finishing the day with 26 hits.

The Beavers are back in action Saturday for a pair of games at the Desert Stinger, taking on Cal State-San Bernardino and Azusa Pacific.