Photo by Samantha Davis: Southwest Minnesota State University's Lexi Ingalls throws to first base against Bemidji State on March 28 in Marshall. The Mustangs split a doubleheader with Sioux Falls on Wednesday.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — After suffering its worst loss of the season 22-1 in five innings, the Southwest Minnesota State University softball team responded for a 2-1 win in the second of a doubleheader against the University of Sioux Falls on the road Wednesday. Both matchups were Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games.

The Mustangs were hurt in the first-game loss after the Cougars exploded for 20 runs all in the second inning, after scoring two promptly in their first at-bat in the opening inning. USF had 13 hits and one error, and held SMSU to three hits who committed two errors.

SMSU turned things around in the second game, taking the one-run lead in the Mustangs’ final at-bat in the top of the seventh inning, and were able to hold on for the win defensively in the bottom of the frame.

Both teams had an errorless performance in the second game, while USF just slightly outhit SMSU 10-9.

SMSU moves to 23-17 overall on the season and 9-5 in NSIC play after splitting Wednesday’s doubleheader. The Mustangs will next return to the diamond for a doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul (20-15, 9-3 NSIC) on Saturday at Carlander Field. The first game will begin at noon with the second to follow.

GAME 1

USF 22, SMSU 1 (5 inn.)

USF had their bats and baserunning ready to go to open up the afternoon, and were too much for the Mustangs to slow down.

The Cougars finished with 17 RBIs, six doubles, one triple and a two-run homer, and had just one stolen base.

USF took a quick 2-0 lead after running in a pair of batters in the first inning of a sacrifice bunt followed by an RBI double. The Cougars’ 20-run second inning came off 10 hits, who continued to rally around the bases.

SMSU got on the board with a run in the fourth inning after Paris Van Dyke sprinted home on a Jordyn Marsh ground-out to second base. But, it wasn’t quite enough momentum to get the Mustangs back into the fight as USF finished the outs as they did in the fifth to end the game in mercy-rule.

Ramsey Hopp was charged with the loss for SMSU, and pitched 3 1/3 innings. She tossed one strikeout while allowing one walk, nine hits and 11 earned runs. Jordan Bussey relieved for two outs, also allowing 11 earned runs with four hits, seven walks and throwing one strikeout.

GAME 2

SMSU 2, USF 1

The Mustangs quickly turned the page in the second game and hung on for a rewarding win.

Although the Cougars took the first lead with a run in the second inning, SMSU tied things up 1-1 in the top of the fourth after Aliza Acker scored off an Emma Humpal RBI double out to left field. Acker initially got on base with a single.

Both teams went scoreless over the next two innings to bring the Mustangs up to their final at-bat in the top of the seventh.

With one out and bases loaded, Marsh was walked to give SMSU the go-ahead run and a 2-1 lead before USF wrapped up the inning with a pair of strikeouts back-to-back.

Riley Kramolisch was given home off the walk, who originally got on base with a single to left field and made her way to third base off a Van Dyke sacrifice bunt and Acker single.

In response, the Cougars also got in scoring position to potentially tie up the score and force extra innings or win by walk-off in the bottom of the seventh inning.

USF also got bases loaded with two outs, but SMSU was able to finish the game and save the win after catching a fly ball in center field.

Kramolisch and Acker led SMSU in the win with two hits each.

Marsh pitched a complete game and got the win in the circle, finishing with one strikeout while allowing three walks, one earned run and 10 hits.