No. 11 MSU Splits doubleheader at Northeastern State

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The 11th ranked Midwestern State University Mustang softball team was up and down on Tuesday, splitting a Lone Star Conference North doubleheader at Northeastern State University

MSU (27-8, 10-4) claimed game one 2-0, but fell in eight innings to Northeastern (14-14, 4-6) 2-1.

Midwestern State senior Brittany Willson got both decisions. á She hurled a five-hit shutout in the first game with five strikeouts, but relieved Ashley Kuchenski in the eighth of game two allowing the game winning run with a strikeout and a walk.

The Mustangs took the opener 2-0 as junior catcher Racheal Jackson smacked her seventh home run of the season in the top of the seventh for insurance. á Jordan Guse scored the first run for MSU in the third on Kristen Stonecipher's sacrifice fly.

Northeastern took the early lead in game two on Rebecca Buirrea's leadoff homer in the bottom of the third.

Midwestern tied the game in the top of the fourth, capitalizing on NSU miscues. á Jessica Rodriguez singled, then advanced to second on a passed ball. á Jackson followed with a single that plated Rodriguez when an errant throw by right fielder Dee Tatum.

Northeastern's Brooke Smith doubled to lead off the NSU eighth, then was sacrificed to third. á After a strikeout, Vanessa Cook singled in Smith for the game winner.

Midwestern and Northeastern square off again on Saturday afternoon at the Sunrise Optimist Complex in Wichita Falls. á First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

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