NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The University of Minnesota Morris softball team wrapped up spring break with a sweep on their final day. The Cougars totaled up an impressive 19 hits between the two contests to defeat the University of Maine - Farmington 8-7 and St. Joseph's University - Long Island 7-4. Cougar softball went 6-6 over spring break and boast a 6-10 record heading into conference play next weekend. 

Minnesota Morris 8, ME. - Farmington 7

After a one-two-three inning to open the game, Minnesota Morris would open the scoring early, with Sierra Stevens crossing home plate on an RBI from Alyssa Thornton in the bottom of the first inning. The Cougars tacked on two more runs when Melana Mahoney hit an in the park home run to bring in Courtney Smith and earn two RBIs. The Beavers responded with a four-run inning to take the lead in the top of the fifth, and added two more in the top of the sixth to lead 6-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth. 

Minnesota Morris broke open their scoring again with a run from Taylor Johnson on a double from Malena Mahoney. Shortly after, the Cougars scored on four plays in a row as Melana Mahoney kicked things off, being brought in on an RBI from Anna Athey. Ashley Albert scored next as Stevens tripled to left center. Olivia Losee doubled to bring Stevens home, and Thornton brought Losee home to score the final run of the five-run inning. Minnesota Morris held on to the lead by giving up just one run in the top of the seventh to secure the 8-7 win.

Mahoney, Kendra Schmitz, and Jillian Anderson all earned two hits to lead the Cougars offense while Mahoney and Stevens each earned two runs to aid Minnesota Morris in the victory. Mahoney brought in three runs, and Thornton added on two more RBIs for the offense. Stevens and Albert secured one stolen base each on the game.

Minnesota Morris 7, St. Joseph's - Long Island 4

The Cougars once again got things rolling with runs in the bottom of the first innings after going a double play and a foul out by the defense made quick work of the top of the first. Three Cougars scored in quick succession starting with Losee who came in on an RBI from Thornton. Thornton secured a run of her own on the next play, and Anderson was the final player to score on an RBI from Schmitz. Thornton went through the Golden Eagles quick in the top of the second to leave Minnesota Morris leading 3-0. After St. Joseph's - Long Island got two quick outs in the bottom of the second, the Cougars battled at the plate and were aggressive on the bases to bring in two more runs from Stevens and Losee.

The third inning passed scoreless for both teams, and the Golden Eagles put their first points on the board in the top of the fifth to close the gap to 3-5. The pressure continued for the Cougars as their opponents scored once more in the top of the sixth. Minnesota Morris answered right back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to expand the lead to seven. Albert laid down a bunt to bring Mahoney in for a score and scored a run of her own on an RBI from Kennedy Biegler. The Cougar defense effectively shut down the Golden Eagles in the top of the fifth to leave North Myrtle Beach on a 7-4 win.

Thornton and Anderson each added two hits in the second game, while Mahoney hit a triple for Minnesota Morris. Athey led the Cougar defense with nine put-outs from behind the plate. Thornton threw 10 strikeouts in the circle, adding on five flyouts and four groundouts for the defense.