Minot State split a pair of games Saturday in St. Cloud, opening the day with a narrow 1-0 shutout loss to Saint Cloud State before bouncing back with a 4-3 victory over the Huskies in the nightcap. The Beavers move to 16-10 overall (1-1 NSIC) after a pitching duel in Game 1 and a timely offensive response in Game 2, highlighted by key hits from Sarah Misner and Brooke Hyde.
Saint Cloud State 1, Minot State 0
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — The Minot State Beavers were unable to break through offensively, falling 1-0 to Saint Cloud State on Saturday.
Junior Katie Newberry (5-2) took the loss in the circle for Minot State (15-10). The right-hander worked six innings, allowing one run on three hits while walking none and striking out seven.
Senior Sara Van led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and a triple in the loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Minot State was held off the scoreboard despite generating five hits in the game and going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. The Beavers' best opportunity came in the sixth inning when Van reached third base with no outs but was left stranded.
Saint Cloud State scored the game's only run while limiting Minot State's offensive opportunities throughout the contest.
GAME NOTES
» Van led Minot State with two extra-base hits.
» The Beavers out-hit the Huskies 5-3.
» Minot State pitchers struck out seven in the game.
» Minot State went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
» Saint Cloud State was led by Bethany Weiss, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
Minot State 4, Saint Cloud State 3
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — The Minot State Beavers rallied to defeat Saint Cloud State 4-3 in the second game, holding off a late Huskies push to secure the split.
Senior Kierra Fournier (4-2) earned the win, tossing six innings and allowing three runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Junior Taylor Kruser added a scoreless inning of relief.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Minot State struck first in the third inning when sophomore Brooke Hyde scored to put the Beavers on the board.
The Beavers extended their lead in the fourth on a solo home run by sophomore Sarah Misner, followed by an RBI single from senior Paige Kellogg in the fifth to make it 3-0.
Saint Cloud State responded to tie the game at 3-3, but Minot State regained the lead in the sixth inning when Hyde delivered a two-out RBI double to put the Beavers ahead 4-3. Minot State's pitching staff held the Huskies scoreless the rest of the way to preserve the win.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State out-hit Saint Cloud State 9-4.
» Misner went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Hyde and Kellogg each contributed key RBIs in the win.
» The Beavers' highest scoring inning was the sixth.
» Minot State pitchers limited Saint Cloud State to 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
» Saint Cloud State was led by Kaylee Collins, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.