ROCHESTER, Minn. – MSU Moorhead's Azalya Lopez and Evey Evans pitched a combined four-hit shutout to help advance the Dragons in the NSIC Tournament. MSUM defeated the Minot State Beavers 3-0 at the RYFSA Complex to open day two of the tournament. 
 
MSUM will play either Augustana or St. Cloud State at 2 p.m. with the win. The victory marks the first time since 2007 where MSUM has won multiple conference tournament games and it secured the program's first 30-win season since that 2007 season.
 
Azalya Lopez would set the tone in the circle for MSUM early on. After giving up a pair of hits in the first inning, the freshman would wiggle out of a minor jam to prevent any runs. In the second inning, Lopez would strike out the side, twirling some nasty off-speed pitches to throw off the Beaver batters. Lopez would work another one-two-three progression in the third inning, forcing two fly outs and a ground out. 
 
The Corona, Calif., native would leave two Beavers stranded in the fourth after doling out a pair of walks in the inning. Lopez collected her fourth strikeout of the game in the frame as she would keep the game scoreless. Her day in the circle would conclude after that half inning as she only surrendered the two hits in the first inning throughout her start. 
 
MSUM would put some offense together in the home half of the fourth as Mack Gallagher would single with Grace Oeltjen pinch running for her. Lopez would showcase her bat skills with an RBI single to score Oeltjen, putting the Dragons up 1-0. 
 
The Dragons would put together a strong fifth inning with Evey Evans coming on to pitch and not allowing a hit in the frame. In the home half, Kiley Washnieski would walk to begin the inning with Evans doubling in the next at-bat to push the senior to third. Jordey Smith would step into the batter's box and deliver a two-run double, scoring Washnieski and Evans. Through five, MSUM led 3-0. 
 
Evans found herself with Minot State runners on first and second with two down in the top of the sixth. The Dragons were able to prevent any runs from scoring thanks to a diving catch from Mack Gallagher at the hot corner. The web gem brought the inning to a close with MSUM still leading 3-0. 

Evans would shut down any Beaver rally in the final frame to secure a 3-0 victory. The junior notched her sixth save of the year with the performance, building on her single-season school record. Lopez and Evans combined to only surrender four hits to Minot State.