MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State softball team started a trend of last weekend of last at-bat charges to victory and continued that trend Saturday with a two-run rally that snapped a tie and gave them a split with visiting Winona State.

Lexi Barduson's two-run triple in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted the Beavers to a 5-3 win over the Warriors in "The Bubble" on the MSU campus, and a split of the teams' NSIC doubleheader.

The Warriors took game one 4-3.

Minot State (24-18 overall, 11-9 NSIC) is back in action Sunday for "Senior Day" as the Beavers host Upper Iowa at noon in another NSIC doubleheader at the Air-Supported Dome on the MSU campus.

GAME 1 | Winona State 4, Minot State 3
MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State Beavers took a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning but could not hang on and fell 4-3 to the Winona State Warriors on Saturday.

Sophomore Reegan Floyd (8-10) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up four runs, two earned, on eight hits, allowing one walk and striking out eight.

In the batter's box, the Beavers were led by junior Brooklyn Morrison, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Junior Lexi Barduson put together a standout performance as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Minot State scored twice on a two-run double off the bat of Barduson.

After the Warriors rallied to tie the ballgame at two, the Beavers came back to retake the lead in the third inning. Minot State picked up a run on Morrison's one-out solo home run off of sophomore Abby Smith, which brought the score to 3-2 in favor of the Beavers. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Winona State scored two times over the remaining four innings to grab the 4-3 win.

GAME NOTES
» Floyd fanned eight Warriors hitters.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the second, when it pushed two runs across.
» Minot State pitchers faced 33 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Winona State pitching.
» Morrison led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Winona State was led offensively by junior Abbie Hlas, who went 2-for-4 with a double.
» Smith led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.
 
GAME 2 | Minot State 5, Winona State 3
MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State Beavers broke through after a 3-3 tie in the fifth inning to knock off the Winona State Warriors 5-3 on Saturday.

Freshman Kierra Fournier (4-6) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minot State. The right-hander went two shutout innings while giving up one hit.

At the plate, the Beavers were paced by junior Lexi Barduson, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a triple, a walk and four RBI. Freshman Paige Kellogg put together a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Minot State scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Barduson.

The Warriors then tied the ballgame at three before the Beavers came back to reclaim their advantage in the sixth inning. Minot State picked up a couple on a two-run triple from Barduson, which brought the Beavers lead to 5-3. The score remained 5-3 for the rest of the game, as Minot State held on for the win.

GAME NOTES
» Barduson drove in four runs for Minot State.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Minot State went 3-for-6 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 28 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out one.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Winona State pitching.
» Barduson led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a triple and four RBI.
» Winona State was led offensively by junior Abbie Hlas, who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Freshman Skyler Calmes led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing four innings of three-run ball.

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