AUBURNDALE, Fla. — A big game at the plate from sophomore catcher Jordie McNeilly helped the Minnesota State University softball team earn an 11-2 win over Salem University in action Thursday in Auburndale, Fla. The win gave MSUM a split on the day, as the Dragons lost to Trevecca Nazarene 8-5.

"We played a tighter defense today and were able to find some moments to gain some momentum offensively," MSUM head coach Amanda Reckamp said. "We played well enough to win both games and we were able to stay in the driver's seat the entire game against Salem."

McNeilly went 3-for-4 with two homers, a double and five RBI in the opener.

Junior center fielder Elizabeth Johnson was 2-for-3 with two runs scored while sophomore shortstop Kaiya Sundeen was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Senior third baseman Emma Dummer, senior first baseman Payton Gaber and senior designated hitter Madison Paige had a hit and an RBI. Sophomore second baseman Samantha Gjerde and sophomore left fielder Shay Weber had hits.

Sophomore Anna Lang improved to 3-2 on the year, giving up one earned run in four innings. She struck out one and walked three. Freshman Abby Muelrath and junior Becky Berth each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Both teams scored unearned runs on errors in the first inning. In the third, Johnson reached on an error and Dummer walked. Gaber singled to score Johnson, and Paige drove in a run with a fielder's choice.  McNeilly hit a two-run homer to left to make it 5-1.

Salem added a run in the third to make it 5-2. IN the fifth, Sundeen hit a two-run single to score Gaber and McNeilly to make it 7-2.

In the sixth, Gjerde singled, and Johnson reached on a bunt single. Dummer singled to left to score Gjerde. Two out later, McNeilly hit a three-run homer to make it 11-2.

"Jordie is having a great start to the season and is finding ways to be productive wherever she is put in the lineup," Reckamp said. "She has been a tough out and has been putting the ball in play at a high clip."

In the loss to Trevecca Nazarene, McNeilly and sophomore right fielder Jordey Smith were each 2-for-3 with a run scored. Junior Ashley McCance was 1-for-1 with two RBI while Dummer was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Gjerde added a hit and run scored.

Berth took the loss, giving up eight earned runs in 5.1 innings. She struck out three and walked three.

MSUM was down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth but stormed back with a five-run frame. McNeilly and Smith each singled, and Sundeen was hit by a pitch to load the bases. McCance pinch hit and singled up the middle to score two runs. Johnson's sac bunt scored Sundeen, and Dummer added a two-run double to make it 5-1.

Trevecca Nazarene stormed back in the sixth, scoring seven runs on six hits and a walk to take an 8-5 lead. The big blow was a three-run homer by Megan Groves.

MSUM will wrap up its Florida trip with two games on Friday. MSUM will face Stonehill College at 1:30 p.m. Central time and Franklin Pierce at 4 p.m. Central time in Winter Haven, Fla.

"The seniors are coming up with some clutch hits even in the tough situation we are facing ahead of us with the suspension of play," Reckamp said. "They have helped keep the team focused on enjoying playing softball in the moment."