Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ST. PETER, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team ran into NSIC preseason favorite Minnesota State on Sunday and came up short, losing 8-0 and 8-1 in a doubleheader held in St. Peter, Minn.

Minnesota State is the defending NSIC tournament champion and improved to 25-7 overall and 10-2 in the league, while MSUM fell to 2-25 overall and 0-12 in the league. It was the second state regional qualifer MSUM has faced.

"We're putting runners in position to score, which is a positive, and now we just have to capitalize on our opportunities," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "There is a lot of season left and good things will happen if we can take advantage of those scoring chances."

In the first game, Moriah Bruns was 1-for-3 for MSUM. Freshman Kristy Bruni reached by a walk.
The Dragons' best threat was in the third. With one out, sophomore Rachel Sannicandro reached on an error, and Bruns reached on a single. Sophomore Mollie Annen reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. However, a fielder's choice forced out Annen at second to end the inning.

MSUM left four runners on base in the game against Maverick senior Courtney McKelvogue, who fired a one-hit shutout. She struck out four and walked one.

Freshman Morgan Nybo took the loss for MSUM, allowing eight hits and eight runs (all earned) in 4.2 innings. She struck out one and walked two.

In the second game, the Dragons had six hits but left six more runners on base. Sophomore Brittany York was 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Annen was 1-for-3 with a double and run scored. Bruns was 1-for-4 with a double, while senior Amanda Moore, freshman Kristen Nordby and Sannicandro all were 1-for-3.

MSUM took an early lead in the first. Annen doubled with one out, and scored on an RBI single by York.  Moore later singled and pinch runner Kelly Watson stole second to put runners on second and third with one out, bu a groundout to the pitcher and strikeout ended the inning.

The Mavericks broke through in the bottom of the first with five runs to take a 5-1 lead.

The Dragons threated again in the second. With one out, Sannicandro singled, and moved to third on a double by Bruns. A flyout ended the therat for MSUM.

Minnesota State added three more runs in the fifth to push the lead to 8-1.

Freshman Taylor Clifton took the loss, giving up five runs (all earned) in two innings. Katie Edison allowed three runs (two earned) in four innings of relief.

The Dragons are scheduled to host Mary on Wednesday. Check msumdragons.com for updates on changes to the game's day, time and location.