MANKATO, Minn. – A day after officially punching its playoff ticket, the Minot State softball team tuned up with a dominating win to start an NSIC doubleheader with Concordia, St. Paul played in the dome on the Minnesota State, Mankato campus.

The Beavers used a six-run rally in the opener to ice a 9-1 win in six innings, then just missed on the sweep as the Golden Bears broke a tie late and scored a 5-3 win in the nightcap.

The regular-season finale for both teams, the Beavers (29-21 overall, 16-12 NSIC) will be back in action on Wednesday in Rochester, Minnesota at the NSIC Tournament. Minot State is scheduled to open the postseason at 10 a.m. as the No. 7 seed and will play No. 10-seed Bemidji State. The winner of Wednesday's 10 a.m. advances to play in the winner's bracket at 2 p.m. and the loser will play an elimination game at 4 p.m.

GAME 1 | Minot State 9, Concordia-Saint Paul 1

MANKATO, Minn. -- Minot State received contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Beavers put nine runs on the board and beat the Concordia, Saint Paul Golden Bears 9-1 on Sunday.

Freshman Kierra Fournier (5-7) got the win for Minot State. The right-hander went four innings, giving up one run on four hits, allowing one walk and striking out two. Junior Gabi Dawyduk started the ballgame and went two shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out one.

Freshman Paige Kellogg led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 1-for-2 in the ballgame with a home run, two walks and two RBI. Senior Jaycie Rostad put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Junior Brooklyn Morrison also chipped in with three walks and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Minot State got on the board thanks to junior Lexi Barduson's RBI double.

The Beavers then held the Golden Bears scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Minot State scored twice on Kellogg's two-run homer, which brought the Beavers lead to 3-0.

Concordia, Saint Paul narrowed Minot State's lead to 3-1 before the Beavers stretched the advantage to 9-1 in the sixth inning. The Beavers bats heated up in the inning, scoring six runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Rostad. The score remained 9-1 for the rest of the game, as Minot State coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES

» Every Minot State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed six runs across.
» The Beavers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Golden Bears 1-0 in the top of the second.
» The Beavers out-hit the Golden Bears at a 10-5 clip.
» Minot State pitchers limited Concordia, Saint Paul to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 25 Concordia, Saint Paul hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and two fly balls while striking out three.
» The Beavers drew eight walks from Concordia, Saint Paul pitching.
» Kellogg led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.
» Concordia, Saint Paul was led offensively by junior Grace Beseman, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Junior Bryanna Olson led the Golden Bears pitching staff, throwing three innings of three-run ball.

GAME 2 | Concordia-Saint Paul 5, Minot State 3

MANKATO, Minn. -- Senior Courtney Chatburn collected three hits, but the Minot State Beavers fell to the Concordia, Saint Paul Golden Bears 5-3 on Sunday.

Freshman Calley Olson (11-3) came out of the bullpen for Minot State and took the loss. Sophomore Reegan Floyd was a bright spot for the Beavers, starting the ballgame and throwing four innings, giving up three runs, zero earned, on six hits, with one walk and one strikeout.

Chatburn's three-hit day led the Beavers offensively. Sophomore Abbey Kelley compiled a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 3-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Minot State put together a three-run frame, culminating in a run-scoring single from Kelley. Concordia, Saint Paul then scored two times over the remaining three innings to break the tie and grab the 5-3 win.

GAME NOTES

» Chatburn led the Beavers, amassing three hits in the ballgame.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Minot State pitchers faced 30 Concordia, Saint Paul hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out one.
» Kelley led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Concordia, Saint Paul was led offensively by junior Jacey Defries, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI.
» Junior Bryanna Olson led the Golden Bears pitching staff, throwing two shutout innings.

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