On Saturday, April 12, the Southwest Minnesota State University softball team competed against the University of Minnesota-Crookston, and swept the Golden Eagles in two games (10-2, 5-2).

The Golden Eagles jumped to an early 2-0 lead in game one after crushing a two-run homer off of a pitch by starting pitcher Rachel Hoeppner. This was only the sixth home run that Hoeppner has allowed throughout the 120 innings she has pitched thus far in the season.

The Mustangs fought back in the fourth inning, sending 11 players to bat, resulting in six unearned runs. The highlight was Chelsey Rodenkirch’s three-run homer, sending Karmann Carroll and Jennifer Johnson. Following the inning, Hoeppner kept the momentum going by not allowing any runs for the Golden Eagles.

At the top of the fifth inning, the Mustangs scored their first earned run of the game when Carroll hit a grounder through the infield, scoring Kailey Hanson. Carroll would go on to score later in the inning, giving the Mustangs an 8-2 advantage.

In the seventh inning, Rodenkirch recorded her fourth RBI of the game following a double that flew to the fence, scoring Luttmann from second base. Rodenkirch had a big game, scoring two runs and picking up four RBIs, surpassing her previous career-high three RBIs.

Upon winning game one, Hoeppner picked up her sixth win of the season.

The Mustangs carried the momentum over into game two, starting off with an RBI single from Jazmyne Neely, scoring Rodenkirch, who started the game with a single that landed in the infield.

The Golden Eagles replied by picking up a two-run single.

Capitalizing on two errors by the Golden Eagles in the sixth inning, the Mustangs gained a 4-2 advantage. With the bases loaded and no outs, a two-RBI double by Carroll scored Shelbie Stoll and Kailey Scearcy.

Yet another unearned run in the seventh inning helped the Mustangs to a 5-2 lead. Hoeppner had a scoreless inning, leading the Mustangs to a 5-2 victory over the Golden Eagles.

Hoeppner improves to 7-10 on the season. With the win, the Mustangs have now extended their winning streak to four games.