CLERMONT, Fla. — The Southwest Minnesota State University womens softball team responded in good fashion after ending its 14-game win streak on Tuesday with a pair of shutout victories on Wednesday to wrap up THE Spring Games in Florida.

The Mustangs first defeated Shepherd University 4-0 with two runs from Abby Russell, then took down Northwood University 7-0 behind a six-run fourth inning.

SMSU now moves to 18-8 overall on the season. The Mustangs have some time off from games and will begin conference play next on March 22 when they travel to take on University of Minnesota Crookston in a doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

SMSU 4, Shepherd 0

A three-run first inning start to the game separated the Mustangs and Rams early on, and SMSU’s defense withheld all of Shepherd University’s eight hits to complete the shutout and brought in one more runner in the final inning to finish the morning off.

With one out, Abby Boxrud stepped up to the plate and singled, as did Russell on the next at-bat. Emma Humpal stepped up next with a double toward center field to bring in both Russell and Boxrud to get SMSU on the board.

Humpal herself was then able to get home after Brynn Webber singled.

The game continued on with both teams not allowing any runs, until Humpal brought in Russell, who got on base after a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, with another single up the middle with two outs on SMSU’s last at-bat of the game.

Karlie Miller and Jordyn Marsh shared the mound for the Mustangs, with Miller pitching the first four. Miller was credited with the win, now standing 7-4 on the season, and allowed zero runs on six hits with one strikeout in her 84 pitches.

Marshall, with her fourth save of the season, had no runs on two hits with 47 pitches.

Sam Colaw started on the mound, but was relieved in the first inning with Trynda Mantz after the second out and her third earned run.

Mantz finished the game with five strikeouts, four hits and one run in her 104 pitches.

SMSU 7, Northwood 0

After a stagnant start to the game for both teams, Paris Van Dyke got SMSU its first run in the bottom of the second inning after hitting a single and stealing second, and Webber hit an RBI single to send her home.

The third inning was scoreless for both the Mustangs and Timberwolves, until SMSU erupted for six runs in the fourth inning on four hits and three Northwood errors to put the game away.

With one out and Humpal at first base, Van Dyke reached first base off a fielding error to advance Humpal to second. Webber stepped up to the plate and nailed a double to center field, to bring in Humpal and put Van Dyke at third base.

Grace Anderson then singled to left field for an RBI of bringing in Van Dyke, while Lexi Ingalls did the same to score Webber.

Continuing to take advantage of Northwood’s errors, Kaylee Hafermann was safe at first after a fielding error, which advanced Ingalls to third and brought home Anderson.

With two players on base, Riley Kramolisch hit a sacrifice fly out to center field, which Ingalls was able to race home to after tagging third after the catch, and Hafermann was safe at second. Boxrud kept the good stride rolling with a single up the middle to score Hafermann before Northwood was able to get the third out on a pop fly in right field.

Van Dyke led with her two runs while Webber finished with a pair of RBI’s. SMSU had seven hits and six RBI’s to the Timberwolves’ two hits.

Morgyn Otte earned the win on the mound, pitching five innings and five strikeouts. She now improves to 6-2 on the season.

Marsh finished the game off pitching two innings, also throwing three strikeouts.

For Northwood, Kamden Binney was on the mound for 3 1/3 inning, and was relieved by Ashley Ziel.