MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead softball is heading back to the NSIC Tournament for the third consecutive season after completing a sweep of Minnesota Crookston on Sunday afternoon. 

The Dragons claimed game one by a 9-4 score before securing a 4-2 win in game two. 

Game One

Both starting pitchers would begin the game strong as Teagan Clemmons would hold Minnesota Crookston scoreless through the first two innings. After going hitless in the first inning, Eliya Johnson and Natalie Gonzalez would provide MSUM with singles in the second frame. However, MSUM would be unable to bring any runs across with the game remaining scoreless. Clemmons would strand a pair of Golden Eagles on base in the third inning to keep the visitors at bay. It was not until the bottom of the third inning where MSUM came alive at the plate. Teagan Pranchke would single to begin the inning and would steal second base in the next at-bat. Later in the inning, Avery Steffen would crack a triple to score Pranchke and open the scoring. 

The Dragons were not done there either as fellow senior Annika Norman would single in the next at-bat to score Steffen from third. Heading into the fourth inning, MSUM led by a 2-0 count. Clemmons would set the Golden Eagles down in order in the top of the fourth, including a pair of strikeouts. In the home half, Gonzalez would double to open the inning, eventually scoring in the next at-bat thanks to a double from the pitcher Clemmons. With one out, Jessie Henry would single, scoring Clemmons and putting MSUM up by four runs. Clemmons would continue to help her own cause in the fifth inning, retiring the Minnesota Crookston side. 

However, Minnesota Crookston, who had just as much to play for as the Dragons, would not go away quietly, scoring three runs on two hits in the top of the sixth inning. Leading 4-3, MSUM looked to tack on some needed insurance to put the game away. Henry and Steffen would help the Dragons put two runners on before Norman drove home another run on a single. In the ensuing at-bat, Johnson continued her tear, driving in Steffen to put MSUM in front 6-3. MSUM would then proceed to score three more runs on RBIs from Gonzalez, Clemmons and Lexie Wilson. With three outs needed, MSUM led 9-3. 

While the Golden Eagles would get a run back in the top of the seventh, Clemmons and Steffen would buckle down and secure the win for MSUM in the circle. The 9-4 win earned Clemmons her sixth victory of the season. 

Game Two

MSUM would continue to score as the second game commenced after Steffen earned a one-out walk in the first inning. Norman would single Steffen over to third base before the Dragons executed a tricky double steal. While Norman was out on the play, the rundown allowed Steffen to cross home for a stolen base. Brynna Farman would look sharp for the Dragons in the circle as well, holding the Golden Eagles to just two hits across the first four innings of play. MSUM would continue to carry a one-run lead into the fifth inning. 

Freshmen Mary Schmidt and Hailey Thurber would earn hits in the home half of the fifth inning, but would not come around to score for MSUM. Minnesota Crookston would rally in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on three hits to provide the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead. However, it was the Dragons who continued to showcase their bats in the most pivotal moments. Steffen would single to leadoff the inning before Norman earned a hit to put two runners on base. Like clockwork, Johnson stepped up and smashed a double to score both Steffen and Norman, putting MSUM back in front, 3-2. For Johnson, it was her 14th RBI in the last eight games. 

MSUM was not done there as Pranchke would drive in a run later in the inning thanks to an infield hit. With three outs left, MSUM led by 4-2 score. It was Steffen who would come on in relief, trying to earn the save. Minnesota Crookston would get a runner to third base with one out as the tying run stepped to the plate. The senior would settle in from there, earning back-to-back strikeouts to clinch the game for MSUM. For Steffen it is her third save of the season. 

Up Next

MSUM (19-36, 11-17 NSIC) is locked in as the number 10 seed in the NSIC Tournament. The Dragons will take on seventh-seeded Minot State on Wednesday beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D.