MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State Beavers used a big day at the dish from Jazmin Karunungan, Brooklyn Morrison's first-career home run to earn a series split against third-place in the NSIC, Winona State with a 9-3 loss and a 5-3 win on Saturday at the South Hill Complex in Minot, N.D.
The Beavers remain squarely in postseason contention as they sit in the 10th and final NSIC Tournament spot by salvaging game two of today's doubleheader. MSU moves to 17-19 overall and 10-12 in conference play. Winona State continues its impressive season as it moves to 29-8 overall and 18-6 within the NSIC maintaining its hold on third place in the conference with the split.
GAME 1 | Winona State 9, Minot State 3
The Beavers got a boost from sophomore Jazmin Karunungan, who collected three hits in a 9-3 loss in Game 1 against Winona State.
Freshman Gabi Dawyduk (L, 4-7) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Dawyduk allowed four earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts over 4.0 innings.
In addition to her three hits, Karunungan had an RBI to lead the Beavers. Sophomore Lauryn DeGuzman compiled a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a triple. Sophomore Jamie Odlum also helped out for Minot State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 4-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Odlum drove in two runs for Minot State with a single, that scored freshman Taryn Bennett and Karunungan.
The Beavers' deficit expanded to 8-2 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the fifth inning. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Karunungan, which tightened the Warriors lead to 8-3. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Winona State added one run to their tally on the way to a 9-3 final.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the third when it pushed two runs across.
» Karunungan stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» Minot State went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Karunungan led the Beavers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
» Winona State was led offensively by sophomore Libby Neveau, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
» Senior Jordyn Kleman led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.
GAME 2 | Minot State 5, Winona State 3
The Beavers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 5-3 victory over the Winona State Warriors on Saturday.
Junior Trinity Valentine (W, 9-8) got the win for Minot State (17-19, 10-12). The right-hander went 5.1 innings with five strikeouts to earn her ninth win of the season. Gabi Dawyduk earned her first save of the season after tossing 1.2 innings without giving up a hit.
In the batter's box, the Beavers were led by freshman Brooklyn Morrison, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, a walk, and an RBI. Dawyduk put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Sophomore Jazmin Karunungan also chipped in for Minot State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Minot State scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Dawyduk.
After the Warriors rallied to tie the ballgame at three, the Beavers came back to retake the lead in the fourth inning. Minot State picked up a run on Morrison's one-out solo home run off of Liz Pautz, which brought the Beavers to lead to 4-3.
Minot State kept Winona State scoreless before building their lead to 5-3 in the sixth inning. The Beavers scored once on an RBI single off the bat of freshman Jaycie Rostad. The score remained 5-3 for the rest of the game, as Minot State held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Trinity Valentine struck out five Warriors hitters.
» The Beavers' highest-scoring inning was the first when they pushed three runs across.
» Minot State took a 3-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Beavers went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 29 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and four fly balls while striking out five.
» Morrison led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.
» Winona State was led offensively by freshman Abbie Hlas, who went 2-for-4 with a double.
UP NEXT
The Beavers are back in action at the South Hill Softball Complex on Sunday, May 2, when they will take on Upper Iowa for another doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
