Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State senior pitcher Kendra Huettl worked a complete-game four hitter as sixth-ranked Minnesota State earned a 5-1 victory over Minnesota Duluth in an elimination game in the NCAA Central Sub-Region tournament.
Huettl allowed just one run while striking out eight and walking zero. The win was her 24th of the season.
Minnesota Duluth – who earlier in the afternoon stayed alive in the tournament with a 5-1 win over Fort Lewis – finishes it season with a 38-22 record.
The Mavericks struck first in the bottom of the first as rightfielder Melanie Upchurch singled and moved to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a double to rightfield off the bat of sophomore catcher Lindsay Erickson.
The Mavericks held the 1-0 lead all the way until the sixth inning when it scored four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Morris led off the inning with a walk before crossing the dish on Lindsay Erickson’s 24th double of the season. Redshirt freshman Christina Redd – who entered to run for Lindsay Erickson then scored as senior centerfielder Chelsea Erickson homered over the leftfield fence for her 11th home run of the season.
The Mavericks continued the hit parade as sophomore Kelly Wood singled up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of junior shortstop Abby Sonner. Wood then scored on a single off the bat of sophomore designated player Eryn Edgerton to cap the Maverick scoring.
Minnesota Duluth would add a run in the top of the seventh but it wasn’t enough as Huettl thwarted the threat.
The Mavericks (49-9) play Concordia Sunday at 11 a.m. Sunday. Minnesota State must win that game to stay alive in the tournament. The “If Necessary” game is slated for a start 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
Watch MSU's postgame press conference