Armbruster Wins First NCAA Game for MSU Mankato

Faribault Falcons 2019 graduate McKayla Armbruster won her first game pitching for Minnesota State University Mankato Saturday.  The 12-7 win came against the Emporia State Hornets at the Scheels Field Dome in Mankato.

Armbruster entered the game in the second inning.  She threw the final 5 1/3 innings, scattered 6 hits, allowed 2 earned runs, walked 1 and struck out 3.

The Mavericks went 4-1 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  After losing their opener 4-3 Friday night to Northwest Missouri State they reeled off wins over Emporia State twice, Northwest Missouri State and Lewis.

McKayla's dad Jesse was a proud papa, posting a picture on Twitter of the game ball she presented him after her first NCAA win.

Minnesota State Mankato has a couple Mankato West graduates and a former Mankato East player on their roster giving them a bit of a Big Nine Conference connection.

The Mavericks schedule shows the team next in action at the Emporia State Softball Classic in Emporia, Kansas the weekend of February 21.

• Noon Friday, Feb. 21-Missouri Western State
• 4:00 p.m. Friday, Missouri Southern State
• Noon Saturday, Feb. 22- Washburn
• 4:00 p.m.  Emporia State
• 9:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23- Northwest Missouri State
• 11:00 a.m. Nebraska Kearney

Armbruster was named Ms. Softball last June after back to back Faribault High School seasons leading the state in recording pitching strikeouts.  The Falcons won the Class 3A State Softball Championship in 2018.