ABERDEEN, S.D. – Minot State University was just an out of away from earning a huge road sweep, but still picked up a crucial road win splitting with Northern State Thursday in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball at Moccasin Creek Softball Complex.

The Beavers (22-18 overall, 13-13 NSIC) scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull away in game 1 for a 6-2 win, but gave up three in the bottom of the seventh in game 2 as Northern State (28-22-1, 13-13-1) salvaged the split.

"We were one pitch away from getting the sweep, but it wasn't to be," said MSU head coach Bill Triplett.

Minot State moved up to a tie for eighth place with two other teams with just four games remaining in the regular season. The Beavers are set to play host to Concordia-St. Paul Saturday and No. 10 ranked Minnesota State Sunday at Herb Parker Stadium.

In game 1, the Beavers broke the game open by sending 10 to the plate in the sixth, scoring five runs on six hits.

Isis Cabral started things off with a leadoff double. She scored on Clarissa Ramirez's one-out single to break a 1-1 tie. After a sacrifice bunt, Jordan Grant drove in two with a single, Rachel Burdette plated one with a single and Ashley Hill – who hit her team leading 10 th home run to start the Beavers scoring in the fourth, drove in another with a single. MSU scored four runs in the inning with two outs.

"Isis had a good day at the plate," Triplett said. "Ashley broke out of her slump with a couple home runs which was good to see."

That was more than enough for starter Jenn Spencer, who went the distance to improve to 12-10. She allowed seven hits and two runs with one earned and struck out two batters. She gave up single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Hill, Cabral and Lauren Cowden finished with two hits apiece for Minot State in the win.

The Beavers were on their way for the series sweep as Ramirez took a 4-2 lead into the seventh.

But an error and a single to start the inning left her with a no decision. After Spencer came on in relief, NSU loaded the bases. Minot State got an out at home and a fielder's choice which scored a run, but the Beavers still led 4-3 with two outs. NSU's Jamie Fisher single, however, scored two and send the home team to the win.

"We had the error and walked two more, so we kind of set the table for them," said Triplett.

Ramirez went six innings allowing four runs on eight hits. Spencer suffered the loss in relief to fall to 12-11.

Hill hit her 11th HR and had two hits in the game, Cabral finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and Jordan Branch and Cowden had two hits apiece. MSU finished with12 hits, three more than NSU. Minot State also saw the return of catcher Tori Zimmermann who went 1 for 4 with an RBI after missing nearly a month with an injury. She wasn't able to play in the field, but was the designated player for game 2.

"Zimmermann came back off an injury," said Triplett. "We gave her an at bat in game 1 and she walked. She had a couple big at bats in game 2. She can't play defense for us, but it sure is nice to have her back in the four hole."

About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.