Softball prevails for sweep of Minnesota State

Sunday, April 14

St. Cloud, Minn.

12 p.m.

St. Cloud State

30-11, 7-8

Minnesota State University - Mankato

22-15, 12-5

Minnesota State

St. Cloud State

St. Cloud State celebrates Alexandra Pinkowski's game-winning single in the second game against Minnesota State

Photo by: Kylie Macziewski

4/14/2019 4:21:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ST. CLOUD, MINN. – In the wise words of St. Cloud State University softball senior Morgan Emmans "the 'Skies are hot."

On Sunday, it was maybe not the traditional hot the Huskies are used to. After sweeping Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday to improve to 29-11 overall and 11-5 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play, St. Cloud State looked to improve its win streak to nine straight games. Standing in the Huskies way was the ever-formidable opponent Minnesota State University-Mankato, which was on a tear of its own, as the Mavericks won their last four games over NSIC opponents. St. Cloud State, though, prevailed for two big wins over Minnesota State, as the team took game one 1-0 before winning game two 3-2 in nine innings.

The Huskies needed just one run to take down the Mavericks in the opener, as they took a tight game one by a final score of 1-0. After 5.5 scoreless innings, senior catcher Morgan Emmans (Blaine, Minn. / Mounds Park Academy) decided to matters into her own hands in the bottom of the sixth. On the first pitch of the at bat, Emmans launched the ball over the fence in right center for her team-leading tenth home run of the season. It also just so happened to give St. Cloud State the 1-0 lead.

That single run proved to be enough for senior ace Kate Kopeck (Lumsden, Sask. / Lumsden), as she went the distance to earn her 12^th win of the season. Kopeck pitched a complete game gem, as surrendered just three hits to the Mavericks while striking out two in seven innings of work.

Unlike in game two, where it was scoreless until the sixth inning, the Huskies wasted no time getting on the board in game two as they scored two runs in the second innings to take an early 2-0 lead over Minnesota State. Cassie Francesconi (Schomberg, Ont. / Emily Carr Secondary) and Brook Bowlin (Chaska, Minn. / Holy Family) used their speed on the bases to score both runs for St. Cloud State, as they both scored on infield grounders by the Huskies eight and nine batters.

The Mavericks managed to tie it up with runs in the third and fourth inning, as the visitors took advantage of uncharacteristic St. Cloud State errors to even the score at 2-2. The Mavericks cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the fourth, as McKenzie Paap reached on a base hit bunt and scored from first on a throwing error by third baseman Alexis Jacobs (Woodbury, Minn. / Woodbury). In the fifth, Minnesota State then evened the score at 2-2 thanks to a leadoff double from Torey Richards and an RBI single from Amber Kral.

The Huskies had several opportunities to take a definitive lead in the final three innings, but tough pitching from Maverick starter Lexi Schoper held St. Cloud State's hitters at bay. Still, the Huskies had a chance to win the game for good in the bottom of the seventh. Bowlin led off the inning with a single and was bunted to second by Haley McFarlane (Swisher, Iowa / Cedar Rapids Prairie) to put a runner in scoring position with two outs.

With Emmans at the plate, the Mavericks opted to put first game starter Mackenzie Ward back in the game and intentionally walk the senior catcher. Maya Keating (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton-Warrensville) battled during her at bat and seemingly hit a bloop single toward the third baseman. Sadly, the ball was caught, resulting in the second straight extra innings game for the Huskies.

Things looked promising for St. Cloud State in the bottom of the ninth, as Francesconi opened the inning with a lead off triple to right field to put a runner at third base with no outs. However, it looked like the Huskies were going to strand the junior center fielder on third, as Bowlin and Jacobs both struck out.

It was Alexandra Pinkwoski (Prior Lake, MInn. / Prior Lake) that came up clutch for St. Cloud State. With a full count to her name, Pinkowski poked a single to center field, allowing Pinkwoski to score easily from third and win the game 3-2 in nine innings.

Bowlin was the top hitter for the Huskeis, as she went 2-4 at the plate with a run and three singles. Francesconi and Keating were both 2-4, while Pinkowski was 1-3 with the game-winning RBI.

Lauren Kirchberg (Columbus, Wis. / Columbus) earned the win for St. Cloud State, as she pitched six flawless innings of relief for the Huskies. In those six shutout innings of work, Kirchberg surrenedered seven hits while striking out two Minnesota State batters.

With the sweep, St. Cloud State leaps over the 30 wins mark, as the team's overall record improves to 31-11 with a 13-5 mark in NSIC play. This is the third consecutive season the Huskies have won at least 30 games during the regular season and the first time the team has beat Minnesota State since the 2016 season.

St. Cloud State will return to action on Tuesday, April 16 when it hosts the University of Minnesota-Crookston and 1 and 3 p.m. in the Husky Dome. The Huskies will honor their three seniors, Kopeck, Emmans and Bradi Yost (Parkersburg, Iowa / Aplington-Parkersburg) during the doubleheader.