MARSHALL, Minn. -- The Minot State University softball team split a pair of one-run games with a 7-6 loss and a 3-2 win against Southwest Minnesota State on the road Saturday. 

GAME 1 | Southwest Minnesota State 7, Minot State 6
The Beavers brought a 6-1 lead into the seventh inning, but could not hold on and fell 7-6 to the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs Saturday.

Junior Trinity Valentine (L, 8-7) started and took the loss in the circle for Minot State (15-16, 8-9).

Sophomore Jamie Odlum led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a double. Senior Julia Suchan put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4. Senior Isis Cabral also contributed, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Odlum came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State and get them on the board.

The Beavers then held the Mustangs scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Freshman Lenora Watson came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State, which brought the Beavers lead to 2-0.

Minot State kept Southwest Minnesota State scoreless before building their lead to 5-0 the following inning. The Beavers scored three times, picking up one on an RBI base knock off the bat of sophomore Maggie Mercer.

Minot State kept the Mustangs scoreless before their offense got things moving the next inning. The Beavers scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Cabral, bringing the score to 6-0 in favor of Minot State. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Southwest Minnesota State scored seven times over the remaining three innings to grab the 7-6 win.

GAME NOTES
» Valentine fanned nine Mustangs hitters.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the third when it pushed three runs across.
» Watson stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» Minot State pitchers faced 31 Southwest Minnesota State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and two fly balls while striking out nine.
» Odlum led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.
» Southwest Minnesota State was led offensively by senior Kali Tomlinson, who went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
» Freshman Allison Christians led the Mustangs pitching staff, throwing four innings of one-run ball.

GAME 2 | Minot State 3, Southwest Minnesota State 2
It was a closely contested match-up, but Minot State's three-run fourth inning proved to be the difference, as the Beavers emerged victorious on Saturday, edging the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 3-2.

Freshman Gabi Dawyduk (4-5) started in the circle and picked up the win for Minot State (16-16, 9-9). The right-hander went 6.2 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on seven hits, allowing three walks and striking out two.

Dawyduk led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a double and an RBI. Senior Isis Cabral provided a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Senior Julia Suchan also contributed, going 2-for-4 for Minot State with a double.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the fourth inning. Dawyduk's RBI double was the key hit in Minot State's three-run inning. Southwest Minnesota State put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Beavers still held on for the 3-2 win.

GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fourth when it pushed three runs across.
» The Beavers out-hit the Mustangs at an 8-7 clip.
» Minot State went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers limited Southwest Minnesota State to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 31 Southwest Minnesota State hitters in the game, allowing 14 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out three.
» Dawyduk led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Southwest Minnesota State was led offensively by senior Madison Krog, who went 2-for-3 with a double.
» Freshman Allison Christians led the Mustangs pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.

UP NEXT
Next up for Minot State is a matchup on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the University of Sioux Falls on the road.