MINOT, N.D. --
Kyla Larson had three hits and drove in two runs leading Minot State to a split of its two games on the final day of the Bubble Invitational on Sunday in the Air-Supported Dome at Herb Parker Stadium. The Beavers defeated Minnesota Crookston 5-2 and lost to Carroll 6-2.
Larson was 2-for-3, scored two runs and drove in a run leading the Beavers to the 5-2 win over the Golden Eagles. She added an RBI in Minot State's loss to Carroll in the second game of the day.
Ashley Hill had three hits and drove in a pair of runs in the two games, while
Tori Zimmermann and
Skyla Neubauer each had two hits.
Kylie Patrick pitched 5.0 innings in relief against Minnesota Crookston to pick up the victory. She allowed six hits and no earned runs while striking out three batters to notch her eighth win of the season.
Minot State took an early 1-0 lead against Minnesota Crookston with a run in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, Hill lined a double to left that plated Zimmermann who had reached on a fielder's choice putting the Beavers in front 1-0.
Minnesota Crookston tied the game with a run in the top of the second inning, but the Beavers regained the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Neubauer reached on a throwing error to begin the inning and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by
Lauren Cowden. She scored two batters later when Zimmermann ripped a double to right putting Minot State back in front 2-1.
After the Golden Eagles tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the fourth, the Beavers took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Larson tripled to right centerfield with one out and scampered home with the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.
Minot State added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hill singled to center and advanced to second on an error to open the frame. Pinch-runner
Alaina Marshall moved to third on a groundout and scored when Larson singled through the right side giving the Beavers a 4-2 lead.
Camille Greene accounted for the Beavers final run when she doubled in Larson upping the lead to 5-2.
Patrick worked around a pair of singles in the seventh inning and struck out the final batter looking to nail down the victory.
Minot State took an early lead in the second game of the day against Carroll with a first inning run.
Julia Suchan singled and advanced to third on a double by Zimmermann and came in to score when Hill lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
The Fighting Saints tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second inning and then Tianna Sell keyed a four-run fifth inning with a three-run homer upping the Carroll lead to 5-1.
Minot State countered with a run in the top of the sixth inning when Hill doubled to right and advanced to third on a groundout. She crossed the plate with the Beavers second run when Larson hit an RBI groundout.
Allison Williams picked up the win for the Fighting Saints as she allowed six hits and two runs in 7.0 innings of work, while Patrick absorbed the loss for the Beavers.
Minot State, which is 12-4 on the season, will return to action on March 16-18 at the Hyvee Classic in St. Joseph, Mo.
