MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minot State University softball team dropped the first game of today's doubleheader at Minnesota State 7-1 but rallied back with overwhelming offensive firepower in the second game to take down the Mavericks 8-6 and earn a split on the road Friday. 

The Beavers move to 10-8 overall and 3-1 in conference play after salvaging a doubleheader split with a 15-hit, 8-run onslaught in Game 2 of today's action. Jamie Odlum and Lauryn DeGuzman hit their first home run of the season in the victory.

It marked the first home run of Odlum's career and the third home run of DeGuzman's career at Minot State. 

Trinity Valentine stranded a runner on base in the bottom of the 7th inning to earn her fifth win of the season. The Mavericks sit at 12-3 overall and begin NSIC play 1-1 with the series split.

GAME 1 | Minnesota State 7, Minot State 1
The Minot State Beavers struggled in Game 1, falling to the Minnesota State Mavericks 7-1 despite the efforts of senior Isis Cabral, who went 1-for-2 with a triple.

First year Gabi Dawyduk (1-2) started and took the loss in the circle for Minot State.

Offensively, the Beavers were led by Cabral, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a triple. Senior Julia Suchan put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Freshman Lenora Watson also helped out for Minot State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 2-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Cabral came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State and get them on the board.  The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Minnesota State added five runs to their tally on the way to a 7-1 final.
 
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fourth when it pushed one run across.
» Minot State pitchers faced 31 Minnesota State hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and three fly balls while striking out six.
» Cabral led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a triple.
» Minnesota State was led offensively by freshman Kylie Sullivan, who went 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Junior Mackenzie Ward led the Mavericks pitching staff, throwing seven innings of one-run ball.

GAME 2 | Minot State 8, Minnesota State 6
Senior Isis Cabral and sophomore Jamie Odlum each collected three hits to help lead the Minot State Beavers over the Minnesota State Mavericks 8-6 in Game 2.

Junior Trinity Valentine (5-3) got the win for Minot State (10-8, 3-1). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up six runs, five earned, on 13 hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.

In addition to her three hits, Odlum had a home run and an RBI to lead the Beavers. Cabral added two doubles and an RBI to her three-hit performance as well. Sophomore Lauryn DeGuzman also chipped in for Minot State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers were trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. DeGuzman put Minot State on the board with a one-out solo home run off McKayla Armbruster.

The Mavericks expanded their lead to 4-1 before the Beavers offense got back to work, taking the lead in the fifth. The Minot State offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a two-run triple off the bat of senior Julia Suchan, which brought the score to 6-4 in favor of the Beavers.

Minot State held Minnesota State scoreless before building their lead to 7-4 the following inning. The Beavers notched a run on Odlum's two-out solo home run off Katie Bracken.

The Mavericks fought back, closing the gap to 7-6 until Minot State added some insurance in the seventh. Freshman Isabella Penner crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Beavers, bringing the score to 8-6 in favor of Minot State. The score remained 8-6 for the rest of the game, as the Beavers held on for the win.

GAME NOTES
» The Beavers power output was led by Cabral, who picked up two extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fifth when it pushed five runs across.
» Five Beavers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Odlum stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Minot State went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 35 Minnesota State hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» Odlum led the Beavers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run (1) and an RBI.
» Minnesota State was led offensively by freshman Sydney Nelson, who went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and an RBI.
» Junior Mackenzie Ward led the Mavericks pitching staff, throwing one inning of one-run ball.

UP NEXT
Beaver softball continues their road trip on Saturday, Apr. 3, when they will take on Concordia-St. Paul at 12 p.m. in St. Paul, Minn.