TOPEKA, Kan. - Taryn Bennett blasted a 3-run homer in the opener for Minot State and Brooklyn Morrison added a 2-run homer for the Beavers in their second game on Friday in the Washburn Invitational. 

Despite the offensive fireworks, Minot State (5-5 overall) still dropped both games, losing 12-7 to Emporia State to start the day and falling 7-2 to Pittsburg State in the Beavers second d game of the day. 

"I'm pleased with the way we answered offensively late in both games," Minot State coach Sal Rodriguez said. "Our bats came alive late against Emporia, which is good to see. Now we just need to work on getting the offense rolling earlier in games. 

"There are some things we need to address defensively to keep us in the ballgames and to better support our pitching staff," Minot State's coach added. "Otherwise, we learned a lot today and look forward to playing tomorrow."


Minot State is back in action playing Central Missouri and Washburn on Saturday in the tournament. 

EMPORIA STATE 12, MINOT STATE 7
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Minot State got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, but the Beavers fell to the Emporia State Hornets 12-7 Friday.
 

Sophomore Kierra Fournier (2-1) got the ball to start for Minot State (5-4) and took the loss. Senior Gabi Dawyduk was a bright spot for the Beavers, starting the ballgame and throwing four innings, giving up three runs, one earned, on four hits, with three walks and one strikeout.

Senior Taryn Bennett led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 1-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run and three RBI. Dawyduk put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-1 with a double, two walks and an RBI. Sophomore Anna LaCount also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Minot State with a double and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 10-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Minot State scored twice in the inning on run-scoring doubles from senior Kilee Fehd and LaCount.

The Beavers deficit grew to 12-2 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the fifth inning. Minot State scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer off the bat of Bennett, scoring sophomore Sara Van Wickler and junior Abby Lohse, which brought the score to 12-5 in favor of the Hornets.

Minot State held the Hornets off the scoreboard before narrowing the gap to 12-7 in the sixth. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

GAME NOTES

» Every Beavers starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Minot State left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Minot State pitchers faced 37 Emporia State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and five fly balls while striking out four.
» The Beavers drew six walks from Emporia State pitching.
» Bennett led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Emporia State was led offensively by senior Abbey Ward, who went 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run and four RBI.
» Junior Jordan Harrison led the Hornets pitching staff, throwing two scoreless innings.

PITTSBURG STATE 7, MINOT STATE 2

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Senior Brooklyn Morrison went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI for the Minot State Beavers in a 7-2 loss to the No. 18 Pittsburg State Gorillas on Friday.

Junior Reegan Floyd (1-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Minot State (5-5).

Morrison led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run and two RBI. Junior Abby Lohse put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a double.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers were trailing 7-0 in the seventh inning when they first put runs on the board. Minot State plated two runs when Morrison left the yard with Lohse aboard. The ballgame ended with that seventh inning rally falling short.

GAME NOTES

» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed two runs across.
» Minot State pitchers faced 28 Pittsburg State hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out one.
» Morrison led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Pittsburg State was led offensively by sophomore Heather Arnett, who went 3-for-4.
» Freshman Ava Laurent led the Gorillas pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.

This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.