MINOT, ND -- The Minot State Beavers celebrated "Senior Day" with a dramatic sweep of visiting Upper Iowa on Sunday at "The Bubble" on the MSU campus.

After honoring seniors Leo Watson and Jaycie Rostad, the Beavers (26-18 overall, 13-9 NSIC) took the opener 5-1, then got a walk-off, two-run home run from Abby Lohse for a 4-3 win in nine innings for the NSIC softball doubleheader sweep.

Minot State is back in action Tuesday playing an NSIC doubleheader at Minnesota State Moorhead.

GAME 1 | Minot State 5, Upper Iowa 1
MINOT, ND --The Minot State Beavers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 5-1 win over the Upper Iowa Peacocks on Sunday.

Junior Gabi Dawyduk (3-0) started in the circle and picked up the win for Minot State. The right-hander went five shutout innings while giving up two hits, allowing two walks and striking out two.

Offensively, the Beavers were led by senior Leo Watson, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a double and two RBI. Senior Jaycie Rostad furnished a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 3-for-3 with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Junior Izzy Penner came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State and get them on the board.

The Beavers then held the Peacocks scoreless before expanding their lead in the fourth inning. Minot State pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Watson that scored Rostad and junior Taryn Bennett, which brought the Beavers lead to 3-0.

Minot State held Upper Iowa scoreless before expanding their lead to 5-0 the following inning. Rostad's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Beavers. Upper Iowa put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minot State still coasted to the 5-1 win.

GAME NOTES
» Rostad compiled three base knocks in the game for Minot State.
» The Beavers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Peacocks 1-0 in the bottom of the second.
» The Beavers out-hit the Peacocks at a 7-5 clip.
» Minot State pitchers limited Upper Iowa to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 30 Upper Iowa hitters in the game, allowing 14 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out three.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Upper Iowa pitching.
» Watson led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» Upper Iowa was led offensively by junior Laila Pelds, who went 2-for-2 with a double.
» Sophomore Rylee McGonigle led the Peacocks pitching staff, throwing six innings of five-run ball.

GAME 2 | Minot State 4, Upper Iowa 3
MINOT, ND -- The Minot State Beavers needed nine innings to finish the job, but secured the 4-3 extra-innings win, walking it off on sophomore Abby Lohse's two-run home run off of junior Delaney Vetter to claim victory over the Upper Iowa Peacocks on Sunday.

Freshman Calley Olson (11-2) got the win out of the bullpen for Minot State. The right-hander went four innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing no walks and striking out one.

Offensively, the Beavers were led by Lohse, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Junior Brooklyn Morrison put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Junior Taryn Bennett also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Minot State got an RBI single from sophomore Chesie McLaughlin, scoring Morrison from third base.

The Beavers kept the Peacocks off the board before tying it up in the fifth. Lohse came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State, which evened the score at 2-2.

Upper Iowa then broke the tie and took a 3-2 lead before Minot State scored two runs in the bottom half of the ninth to grab the win, walking it off on Lohse's two-out, two-run home run off of Vetter.

GAME NOTES
» Minot State pitchers faced 42 Upper Iowa hitters in the game, allowing 14 ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out two.
» Lohse led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.
» Upper Iowa was led offensively by junior Rae VanMilligan, who went 1-for-2 with two RBI.
» Vetter led the Peacocks pitching staff, throwing 8.2 innings of four-run ball.

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