The Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato swept a pair of Northern Sun Conference games in Fayette on Tuesday snapping Upper Iowa's nine-game win streak. The Mavericks, fueled by dominant pitching and timely hitting, posted wins by counts of 8-2 and 4-0. MSU improves to 25-17 overall and 10-10 in the league, while UIU drops to 20-15 overall and 12-8 in NSIC games. 

Upper Iowa registered 10 hits on the day with 5 in each game. Kennedy Newell, Payton Kastenschmidt and Kaylee Frenette all had two hits apiece for UIU on the afternoon. 

The Peacocks will host St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 19-20.

Game One: Minnesota State 8 - Upper Iowa 2

Minnesota State's Mackenzie Ward (13-11) struck out 11 Peacocks and was in control during game one limiting Upper Iowa to just five hits to earn the victory.

The Mavericks opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the second thanks to an rbi-single from Julia Bastian and a ground out to drive in the second score by Kennedy Rieck. 

Upper Iowa was quick to answer with a run in the bottom of the second when Erin Drahozal singled down the right field line to plate Katie Crogan, who was hit by a pitch to open the frame.

MSU cut loose in the fifth scoring four runs on five hits highlighted by a three-run homer to right centerfield off the bat of Cori Kennedy. 

UIU pulled a bit closer in the bottom of the fifth with a run on a single to right by Crogan; the hit sent Kaylee Frenette to the plate after she led the inning off with a single through the right side.

The Mavericks put the final runs on the scoreboard with two runs in the sixth with a sac fly from Courtney Potter and an rbi-single to right by McKenzie Paap.

UIU starter Emily Kisch (11-6) took the loss after five innings in the circle; the junior allowed six runs on eight hits. Drahozal worked in relief giving up two runs on two hits in her two innings.

Game Two: Minnesota State 4 - Upper Iowa 0

Minnesota State jumped out to an early 3-0 lead thanks to a pair of rbi-doubles from Kennedy and Amber Kral and a run-scoring single up the middle by Emma Schifferle. The Mavericks added one more run in the second inning when Kennedy singled through the right side to send Paap home.

The Peacocks threatened a rally in the bottom of the fifth inning loading the bases with one out thanks to a pair of singles by Kastenschmidt and Jenny Budds around a walk to Drahozal. Minnesota State snuffed out the chance at runs with a force out at home and then a ground out to the short stop stranding three runners on base.

UIU's starter Jaclyn Thompson settled down after the first two innings posting five scoreless innings to keep the Peacocks in the game. Thompson (3-5) gave up the four runs, three earned, on eight hits while striking out three.

Lexi Schoper (6-3) picked up the win after five scoreless frames scattering four hits. Ward returned to the circle in relief for the final two innings and posted five strikeouts to secure the win for MSU.