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Spencer’s two-hitter lifts Beaver softball to split

BISMARCK – Minot State University’s Jenn Spencer twirled a two-hitter to help the Beavers to an 8-2 win in game 1 and a split of a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference softball games at the University of Mary in the team’s league-opening series Wednesday at Clem Kelly Diamond.

Minot State (9-6 overall, 1-1 NSIC) could only muster two hits and committed five errors in game 2 as UM salvaged the split with a 6-1 win.

“We were good in game 1 and so was Jenn,” said MSU head coach Bill Triplett. “Jenn stayed ahead of the hitters and had her drop and fastball hitting her spots.”

Spencer allowed both runs in seven innings of work but only one was earned. She struck out three batters to run her season record to 6-3 overall.

After a 1-1 first inning, MSU took control of the game with three runs in each of the third and fourth innings. MSU capitalized on four Mary errors and got a timely double from Tori Zimmermann in the third to break open the game.

Zimmermann went 2 for 4 with four RBIs in game 1. She, Isis Cabral and Clarissa Ramirez all finished with two hits with Cabral and Ramirez driving in one run apiece.

“We played a clean game and hit the ball really well,” Triplett said.

In game 2, the Marauders (7-20, 1-1) took advantage of MSU’s miscues and chased MSU starter Clarissa Ramirez in the fifth inning. Ramirez pitched well enough to win, giving up just six hits in 4.2 innings pitched, but gave up five runs with two of them earned. Emma Casey went 1.1 innings and allowed one unearned run.

“In game two, we fell apart defensively and just didn’t back Ramirez,” said Triplett. “Anytime you give a team four or five outs in an inning, it will catch up to you. It’s not the end of the world getting a split on the road, but we were hoping to get both games.”

The Beavers were also limited at the plate as MSU finished with just two hits, both by shortstop Jordan Branch. Branch went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

Minot State continues its road swing to start its NSIC schedule, playing double headers at St. Cloud State (Saturday) and Minnesota Duluth (Sunday).

— Minot State athletics

MSU ranked 10th in latest Central Region Poll

AUSTIN, Texas – Minot State University baseball moved into the National College Baseball Writers Association Division II Central Region poll at the No. 10 spot, the NCBWA announced Wednesday.

It marks the first time the Beavers have been ranked in the regional poll since moving to NCAA Division II. MSU received votes in three separate polls in 2013 but did not crack the top 10.

“This is just a sign of how hard our guys have worked and the time they have put it to getting better,” said MSU head coach Scott Eul. “It is obviously really early still in the year with a lot of games to be played, but it is absolutely a sign of us getting to where we need to be. Our goal is to be a consistent regional team and we are working hard to get ourselves in that position.

“We still have to take the rest of this year series to series and we will see where we are at the end of the season.”

The Beavers are 11-4 overall (6-2 NSIC), the best start in the program’s DII history, heading into conference games Thursday at Minnesota Crookston and Saturday-Sunday at home against Winona State. MSU received nine total votes to earn the 10th position.

MSU is one of three NSIC teams ranked in the top 10 as Minnesota State comes in at No. 3 and St. Cloud State is No. 7. Emporia State is the No. 1 ranked team in the region, while Chico State (Calif.) is the No. 1 team in the country, moving up from No. 2 last week.

The NCBWA releases a weekly regional and national poll, listing the top voted teams by its members.

— Minot State athletics

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