MANKATO, Minn. – The Northwest Missouri State softball team opened the 2023 season with a matchup against Minnesota State at the Maverick All-Sports Dome in the Bearcats first game of the MSU Invitational. The Mavericks of Minnesota State used a six-run second inning and a five-run third inning to defeat Northwest 11-0.
 
Sophie Mayhugh was the first Bearcat to get on base with a walk in the second inning.
 
MSU went on to score six runs in the bottom second. A single up the middle allowed the Maverick runner on second to score for their first run of the game. Minnesota State then stole home for its second run. With runners on second and third, a single to left field scored both runners on base. Then a single to left brought in another runner that was followed by a single again that scored the sixth and final Maverick run of the inning.
 
In the top of the third, Omara Love singled to left center and two batters later Skylar Pieper singled to right field, but the 'Cats could not bring either of them home.
 
Minnesota State scored two more runs on sacrifice flyouts early in the third inning, and then hit a triple late in the inning to bring the lead to 11-0.
 
Lillie Filger recorded the only other hit for Northwest in the top of the fifth with a single to shortstop.
 
Jadyn Streigle took the loss giving up nine hits as well as nine runs.
 
Minnesota State defeated Northwest, 11-0, in five innings.