Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Minnesota State University pitchers Kendra Huettl and Courtney McKelvouge held the Northern State University lineup to 11 total hits through two games and stranded all 17 base runners as the visiting Mavericks blanked NSU 3-0 in opener and 2-0 in the nightcap on Monday in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball play.

The losses conclude the Wolves' 2011 season at 14-29 overall and 7-16 in NSIC play.  The Mavericks wrapped up the regular season at 43-10 overall and 20-6 in conference action, garnering the No. 4 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

The two teams battled through a five-inning stalemate to open the day before the Mavericks broke through with a couple of two-out runs in the top of the sixth.  Natalie Spicer and Julie O'Neal rapped out back-to-back two-out singles before designated player Lindsey Erickson scored both players with a double to the gap in left center.

NSU responded with a golden opportunity in their final at bat of the game, loading the bases with a pair of singles and a two-out walk from senior Lindsey Cegla.  Pinch hitter Sarah L'Allier, however, was called out on strikes to end the threat and the game.

NSU senior Kelley Suggs took the loss for the Wolves despite giving up just two runs in seven strong innings.  Suggs allowed seven hits and worked around one NSU error and a walk while issuing four strikeouts in her final career appearance on the mound.

MSU starter Huettle racked up eight strikeouts in her complete game outing, walking one and allowing five walks, but stranding all six to earn her 23rd win of the season.

Game 2 began with another scoreless stalemate that lasted through the first three innings of play.  The Mavericks again broke up the standoff, this time using back-to-back triples and an RBI single from O'Neal in the top of the fourth to go up 2-0.  O'Neal added an RBI double in the top of the sixth to make it a 3-0 score.

Freshman Jordan Florey entered the game in relief at that point, working two pop outs and a strikeout to get the Wolves out of the jam.

For their part, the NSU offense kept the pressure on the Maverick staff and defense.  The Wolves had base runners in every inning, using six hits, two hit batters, two errors and one walk, but could not advance any of them past third base, leaving MSU's McKelvouge with the complete game win.

Junior Kelli Bornander was tagged with the loss, allowing all three runs on eight hits.  Seven of those eight hits came from the top four in the Mavericks' line-up, who went a combined 8-for-15 in the game.