ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul (13-13, 7-5 NSIC) opened a challenging eight game homestand with a pair of losses on Thursday afternoon at Carlander Field, falling 6-0 in game one and 7-4 in game two to #18 Minnesota State (19-6, 8-4 NSIC).

On a cool, crisp spring afternoon, Concordia surrendered five of MSU's six runs on a pair of two-out swings in a 6-0 game one loss, before allowing six two out runs in the first inning of a 7-4 game two loss. The CSP bats were slow to get going on the day, as well, as MSU game one starting pitcher Mackenzie Ward carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning with two outs and struck out 17 in a two-hit shutout before CSP came alive in game two with three runs in the fourth and another in the fifth in a comeback attempt that fell short with the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Minnesota State combined to hit 11-for-23 with two outs while holding CSP to 4-for-18 in two out situations.

Concordia continues its homestand this weekend against Minnesota Duluth (20-6, 10-2 NSIC) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. followed by St. Cloud State (16-6, 5-3 NSIC) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Next week, CSP welcomes #21 Winona State (19-6, 8-4 NSIC) on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

GAME 1: #18 MSU 6, CSP 0
The Mavericks scored the go-ahead run in the top of the first inning when Sydney Nielsen hit a solo home run to center field. MSU starting pitcher Mackenzie Ward asserted herself early, striking out the first six batters she faced. She would retire 11 of her first 12 outs via the strikeout, mixing in a two out walk to Meagan Bliese in the third inning, with Bliese stealing second to put the tying run in scoring position.

Senior pitcher/dp Aryka Knoche was strong in the early innings, settling into a groove after the first inning home run by retiring the Mavericks in order in the second and third innings. In the fourth, after allowing the first two to reach on singles and advance on a wild pitch, Knoche recorded a pair of strikeouts and appeared poised to pitch out of the jam when Madi Newman delivered a two-out, two-run single up the middle.

The Mavericks tacked on three more in the sixth inning with a two-out, three-run home run by Sydney Nelson to give Ward added insurance with six outs to go.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Clara Heislen broke up the no-hitter with a two-out infield single to short, but Ward struck out the side in the inning to minimize the threat. In the seventh, Grace Beseman laced a leadoff single down the right field line but was stranded as Ward struck out two of the final three Golden Bears to finish off her 17-strikeout masterpiece.

In a fast-paced game with two pitchers working well in the circle, it was MSU's two-out hitting that was the difference maker as MSU was 4-for-10 with two outs including five RBIs while CSP was 1-for-8 with two outs.

Although she took the loss, Knoche went the distance in a gutty performance against the nationally-ranked opposition, scattering 11 hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

GAME 2: #18 MSU 7, CSP 4
The two-out hitting carried over to the first inning of game two, costing the Golden Bears a six run first inning. Starting pitcher Bryanna Olson retired the first two Mavericks she faced on a comebacker to the circle and a pop-out to first base before a couple of seeing eye singles through the infield allowed the Mavericks to start their rally. Olson would take the loss, falling to 5-6 on the year with a strong 3.05 ERA and a team-high 59.2 innings.

Senior pitcher Kali Kaestner relieved Olson and worked six strong innings with six strikeouts and one walk, scattering five hits while allowing just one unearned run to lower her season ERA to a team-best 2.95.

In the first three frames, the CSP bats continued to be stifled by MSU as starting pitcher McKayla Armbruster allowed a bloop single and a walk and looked comfortable with a 6-0 lead heading into the middle innings.

In the fourth, a one-out rope double to the center field gap by Knoche gave the Golden Bears a threat. Amanda Parsons singled home pinch runner Alexus Houston for the team's first run of the day, and after a single by Hanna Mortenson, Cam Veenbaas went deep for a two-run home run to left field, the second of her career in 266 at bats.

In the fifth, Concordia forced the Mavericks to the bullpen when Heislen jacked a one-out home run to center, bringing the Golden Bears within two, 6-4 on her fifth homer of the year.

Minnesota State added an insurance run in the sixth inning using small ball, starting the inning with a pair of bunts, reaching on a hit and an error to give MSU runners on second and third. Kaestner retired the next three batters, but the first via flyout that scored the run from third base.

In the seventh, Concordia attempted to rally against relief pitcher Katie Bracken as Taylor Griffin singled on a comebacker through the circle to second base, followed by Emma Lero's pinch hit single off the wall in left center. With one out, the Mavericks' right fielder Kyle Sullivan made a diving catch in foul territory to retire Clara Heislen and the Mavericks retired Kris McIntyre on a ground out to end the game.

Armbruster picked up the win for MSU with Bracken securing the save, while Hailey Forchee led the Mavericks with a 3-for-4 effort and Sydney Nelson hit a two-out first inning grand slam. Nelson also had a three run homer in game one, combining for seven RBIs on two hits in the doubleheader.

Mortenson was 2-for-3 for the Golden Bears, who picked up eight hits in game two and added another baserunner via walk.

MSU was 7-for-13 hitting with two outs, leading to six two out RBIs while CSP was 3-for-10 with a pair of two out RBIs.