On Saturday afternoon, the Minot State University softball team split a pair of games with visiting Winona State. The Beavers lost 9-3 in the first game, but then rebounded to take the second contest 5-3.

The next day, MSU closed out the regular-season home schedule with a sweep of Upper Iowa by the scores of 11-3 and 10-7 at the South Hill Softball Complex.

The Beavers improve to 19-19 overall and 12-12 in conference play with the pair of wins and hold a strong grasp on the 10th and final NSIC Tournament spot with eyes on the postseason. Upper Iowa falls to 11-28 overall and 7-19 in NSIC play with the losses.

GAME 1 | Minot State 11, Upper Iowa 3 (5 innings)

The Beavers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to an 11-3 victory over the Upper Iowa Peacocks in Game 1 on Sunday.

Junior Trinity Valentine (W, 10-8) got the win for Minot State. The right-hander went three innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing two walks, and striking out two.

Offensively, the Beavers were paced by senior Isis Cabral, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and three RBIs. Sophomore Jamie Odlum furnished a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Senior Julia Suchan also contributed for Minot State, putting together two hits in two trips to the plate while adding three RBIs.

GAME 2 | Minot State 10, Upper Iowa 7

Sophomore Maggie Mercer racked up four RBIs to help power the Minot State Beavers past the Upper Iowa Peacocks 10-7 on Sunday.

Junior Trinity Valentine (W, 11-8) got the win out of the bullpen for Minot State (19-19, 12-12). The right-hander went three innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing one walk, and striking out three.

Mercer went 2-for-4 with a double in addition to her four RBIs for the Beavers. Senior Isis Cabral put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Junior Trinity also chipped in for Minot State, putting together two hits in two trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.

The Beavers travel to Bemidji State on Saturday, May 8 for the first of a two-game series at 12 p.m., and then closes out the regular season on Sunday, May 9 at the University of Minnesota Crookston with a doubleheader at 12 p.m.