TAMPA, Fla. -The Southwest Minnesota State softball team (8-6) advanced its winning streak to seven games before having it end after splitting a double header at the University of Tampa (19-9) on Wednesday evening.

The Mustangs earned a 4-3 victory in game before falling 8-1 in the second.

The Mustangs, who are used to scoring early, played to five scoreless innings before being the first to go on the board in the top of the sixth with an RBI single to right from Madison Krog to score Kristen Neumann.

With two runners on and two outs, Kaylee Hentges was plated off a fielding error to score Kebos to put SMSU up 2-0 heading into the bottom.

The Spartans had a loud response in the bottom of the sixth to not only tie the game up, but to take a one-run lead.

All three of the Spartans runs were unearned after scoring first on an error, followed by a sac fly to right and single to left.

In SMSU’s last chance to score, Bailey Johnson sent a ball deep to left for an RBI-double scoring Madysson Schliinzfor the tying run.

Jillian Noel, who led the team going 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI, sent a sac fly to center to score Johnson for the winning run.

The Mustangs and Spartans collected nine hits each while the Spartans committed three errors while SMSU committed two.

Megan Cull (3-0) earned the victory in the circle tossing three innings with one strikeout. Shelby Bloemendaalstarted in the circle to throw four innings and not allowing a run.

In the second game, the Spartans awoke the bats to rake in 12 hits and didn’t commit an error. The Mustangs collected four hits of their own with two errors.

Tampa plated three in the bottom of the second, brought two more across in the bottom of the fourth, followed by a solo run in the bottom of the fifth to advance to a 6-0 lead after five complete.

In the top of the sixth, the Mustangs squad came out swinging as Johnson put a blooper in center, followed by a bunt single from Grote, and a single from Tomlinson loaded the bases with one out.

Noel, hit an RBI single left to score Johnson to put the Mustangs on the board trailing 6-1.

The Mustangs were led by Johnson who finished the second game 2-for-3 with one run.

Southwest Minnesota State completes competition in Florida today facing Slippery Rock (Pa.) at 10 a.m. EDT and American International College at 12:15 p.m. EDT, both at DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, Fla.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications