Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

MANKATO, Minn. – Playing as the home team on the road for the second straight day, the Northern State University Wolves dropped a pair of 4-0 decisions to the host Minnesota State, Mankato Mavericks Friday afternoon in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball action.  The games were originally scheduled to be played in Aberdeen, but snowy field conditions forced the change of venue.

The Mavericks have now won five of their last six games and improved to 22-6 overall and 3-1 in NSIC play, while the Wolves slipped to 3-20 on the year and 0-8 in league action.

NSU freshman Whitney Luhring garnered two of the team's six hits in Game 1, going 2-for-3 from the plate while smacking her fifth double of the season.  The freshman third baseman was hit by a pitch in her first at bat of Game 2.  She would leave the game at that point and did not return.

Freshman Ashley Gabler also had a pair of hits in the nightcap, going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.

Despite their 12 hits on the day, however, the Wolves stranded 14 base runners and were unable to push any runs across the plate.  NSU has now been shut out in four straight games, all NSIC contests.

The Mavericks opened up the scoring early in Game 1, scoring one run in the top of the first before putting together a 3-run second inning.  The Wolves held strong through the remainder of the game, but the damage was done.

MSU again staked an early lead in Game 2 with a pair of runs in the top of the first.  The Mavericks added an insurance run in both the fifth and seventh innings while holding off the Wolves throughout.

MSU's Katie Reed was the offensive catalyst for the Mavericks, going 4-for-7 with four RBIs on the day.  The senior had just one extra-base hit, a double in Game 2.

NSU is slated to stay on the road, traveling to Bemidji State on Tuesday for another NSIC doubleheader.  First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.