MOORHEAD, Minn. -- For the first time since May 2, 2021, MSU Moorhead softball was able to play inside the friendly confines of Nemzek Softball Field, earning a two-game Senior Day sweep of Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday afternoon. 

The Dragons won game one 6-3 before completing the sweep in a 3-2 win over the Mustangs. 

Game One

Things did not begin well for the Dragons in the first inning as Southwest Minnesota State would get to starter Azalya Lopez in the early going. Lopez would surrender a pair of singles in the top of the first before the Mustangs broke the scoreless tie with a two RBI double. The sophomore would rally after giving up the runs, earning a strikeout and a ground out to end the inning. The visitors would continue to put pressure on Lopez in the second inning after a Dragon error. Eventually, the Mustangs would plate an additional run thanks to the error to lead 3-0. 

While Eliya Johnson would lead off the home half of the second with a double, MSUM struggled to find good pitches against SMSU starter Morgyn Otte. The Mustangs would retire the Dragons in order following Johnson's hit to remain in front 3-0. Lopez would settle in thereafter, holding the Mustangs hitless in the third frame. However, Otte would continue to stifle the Dragon batters, keeping the Dragons off the board in the bottom half. Lopez would retire the side with a strikeout in the next half inning before MSUM finally began to stir in the bottom of the fourth. 

Lizzy Davis would open the frame with a single followed by a walk from Mack Gallagher. Davis would move to third base on a flyout from Johnson with Lopez entering the batter's box. The Dragons would the load the bases as Lopez was hit by a pitch. With one out, the ever-reliable Annika Norman would smack a single to left center, scoring Davis and Grace Oeltjen (pinch running for Gallagher). Through four innings, SMSU led 3-2. 

While Lopez would give up a one-out triple in the top of the fifth, she would rally back to hold the Mustangs scoreless. The Dragons would use that momentum in the bottom of the fifth as Eliyah McCarthy worked out a leadoff walk. McCarthy would move into scoring position on a passed ball and would reach third following a sacrifice bunt from Chloe Makinney. In the next at-bat, Davis would drive McCarthy in to tie the score at three runs each. Lopez would continue to look strong in the top of the six, surrendering one hit, but keeping the Mustangs off the board. 

It was in the home half of the sixth where MSUM showcased just how lethal they can be if they are given base runners. Ella Holiman would earn a one-out walk and would move to second base on a bunt from McCarthy. While McCarthy's intent was no doubt sacrificial, the senior would blaze down the first base line for an infield hit. Both runners would then advance a base on a wild pitch. Makinney would step up and ground into a fielder's choice where the Mustangs opted to try and gun down Holiman at the plate. The senior beat the throw, putting the Dragons up 4-3. With two outs, Gallagher would step up and stripe a massive single to score both McCarthy and Makinney. With three more outs needed, MSUM led 6-3.

Lopez would earn a pair of quick outs in the seventh before giving up back-to-back singles. Eventually, the sophomore would earn the complete game win with a two-out fly out. For Lopez, it is her 13th win of the season. 

Game Two

Tegan Clemmons would take to the circle for game two as she would earn a pair of strikeouts in the first inning to keep the game scoreless. Leading off the top of the first inning, Makinnney smacked a ball down the right field line that was a sure sign of trouble for SMSU. The speedy Makinney legged out an easy triple with head coach Mike Armitage waving her home for the inside the park home run. Credit to Southwest Minnesota State, who made a pair of dynamite throws to cut down Makinney and put her in a rundown. 

That proved to be all the momentum that SMSU needed as they would score a pair of runs following a Dragon error and a passed ball. MSUM's offense continued to struggle in the early innings as Mustang starter Karlie Miller would retire the side in the second inning. Clemmons would respond in the third, holding SMSU to one hit and no runs while registering another strikeout. The Dragons would not do anything with that momentum as they would again be set down in order in the home half of the third. 

Southwest Minnesota State would threaten again in the top of the fourth as a single and another Dragon error would put runners on second and third with one out. In the next at-bat, Mustang left fielder Riley Kramolisch hit a grounder to Clemmons, who noticed the Mustang runner trying to score from third. Clemmons would catch the runner in a pickle for the second out while the runner at second was caught in no man's land. The Dragons would end the inning on the ultra-rare 1-2-5-6-4-5 double play. 

That defensive prowess would finally give the Dragon bats some life in the home half as Makinney would walk before Davis would single with one out. Both runners would advance base on a sacrifice bunt. Johnson would drive in a run to make the score 2-1 on a ground out in the next at-bat. With two down, it was again Norman who came up with the timely hit, earning a single to score Davis and tie the game at two runs. Both pitchers would sling solid fifth frames, surrendering only one hit between the two of them. Clemmons would remain in control in the sixth, only needing eight pitches to set the Mustangs down. 

At another crucial point in the game, MSUM would rally when runs were needed the most. Johnson would begin the inning with a single as Oeltjen would step in to run for the senior. Norman would advance Oeltjen to second on a sacrifice bunt before the sophomore went over to third on a passed ball. With one out, Lopez would come up with the tiebreaking hit on an RBI ground out which scored Oeltjen. The Dragons would lead 3-2 as Clemmons looked to put the finishing touches on the win.

The true freshman would put the game on ice, needing only five pitches to retire the Mustang side and earn her sixth win of the year. 

Up Next

MSUM (24-16, 11-7 NSIC) will remain at home as they are scheduled to host Minot State beginning a 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. With expected weather, scheduling changes are highly likely for the NSIC doubleheader. Any and all alterations will be released as they become available.