Kari Gibb/MDN MSU head softball coach Sal Rodriguez and the team are enjoying games over spring break as they wait for winter to break.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Minot State University (MSU) softball team suffered a pair of heartbreaking setbacks, falling 1-0 to host Evangel to start the day, then the Valor scored a 5-4 walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh inning for a sweep of the non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday.

Taylor Smith had two hits in the opener and Isabelle Anderson had two hits in the nightcap for the Beavers (10-11 overall), who wrap up a week of action in Missouri on Thursday, playing Washburn for a second time this week and Missouri S&T.

GAME 1 | Evangel 1,

MSU Women 0

The MSU Beavers were not able to notch a run against Evangel pitcher Maddy Meierer on Wednesday and were shut out 1-0 by the Valor.

Reegan Floyd (5-3) came out of the bullpen for MSU and took the loss. Sarah Misner was a bright spot for the Beavers, starting the ballgame and throwing four scoreless innings, allowing one hit, with five walks and two strikeouts.

At the plate, the Beavers were led by Taylor Smith, who went 2-for-3 on the day.

The Beavers best chance to score in the first when Smith made it 60 feet away from scoring with one out, but was stranded.

The host Valor (18-4) snapped the scoreless tie in the fifth when Karlie Romines singled home Kenna Mayfield for the game’s only run.

GAME 2 | Evangel 5, MSU Women 4

Despite picking up nine hits in the ballgame and out-hitting Evangel, MSU was unable to push across more runs, as the Beavers lost to the Valor 5-4 on Wednesday.

Jasmine Blizzard (3-4) took the loss in the circle for Minot State.

The Beavers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with runs in the top of the first inning. MSU scored twice, with one run coming across on a Paige Kellogg single and another on Sarah Misner’s single.

The Valor then rallied to score four runs and take a 4-2 lead before the Beavers got back on the board in the seventh. Minot State pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Isabelle Anderson that scored Brooke Hyde and Taylor Eatherton, which brought the score level at 4-4.

Evangel then scored one time in the bottom half of the seventh to break the tie and grab the 5-4, walk-off win.

MSU Women 3, McKendree 1

BRANSON, Mo.- The MSU Beavers (10-9 overall) finished day two of competition at the Spring Break Games with a split. The Beavers took a win against McKendree 3-1.

The MSU Beavers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 3-1 win over the No. 20 McKendree Bearcats on Tuesday, March 11.

Senior Reegan Floyd (5-2) got the win for MSU (10-8). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing no walks and striking out six.

At the plate, the Beavers were paced by junior Taylor Smith, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a double, a walk and an RBI. Junior Anna LaCount compiled a standout effort as well, going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Junior Paige Kellogg also chipped in for MSU, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double.

The Beavers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom of the first inning with the game still scoreless. Minot State plated two runs off of McKendree pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Smith.

The Bearcats failed to push any runs across before the Beavers offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of LaCount, which brought the Beavers lead to 3-0. McKendree put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minot State still held on for the 3-1 win.

Washburn 5, MSU Women 1

The MSU Beavers had a tough showing on Tuesday, falling to the Washburn Ichabods by final score of 5-1.

Senior Jasmine Blizzard (3-3) started and took the loss in the circle for MSU (10-9). Junior Calley Olson was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one inning, surrendering one run on one hit.

In the batter’s box, the Beavers were led by junior Anna LaCount, who went 2-for-3 on the day. Junior Mallory Hoogensen put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.

The Beavers were trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. MSU got an RBI single from Hoogensen, scoring junior Paige Kellogg from third base. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Washburn added two runs to their tally on the way to a 5-1 final.