Mel Johnson fired her second straight shutout on the mound in Game 1 and also went 4-for-6 at the plate in two games Friday for USD. (Photo by Aaron Packard).

VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota softball team pounded out 19 hits in two games to record a sweep of the College of St. Mary Friday in Vermillion, S.D. The Coyotes prevailed by scores of 7-0 and 6-1.

Of the 19 hits USD recorded Friday, eight went for extra bases. The Coyotes used that offensive attack – plus good pitching performances from junior Mel Johnson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and freshman Melissa Blackburn (Sioux Falls, S.D.) – to record Friday’s sweep. USD (17-28-1) has now won five of its last six games.

Senior Michelle Jones (Rapid City, S.D.) sparked the USD offense in Game 1, going 4-for-4 with two homers and three RBI.

Jones set the tone right away in the bottom of the first, leading off the frame with a solo homer to left field to put USD up 1-0.

The game stayed that way until the fourth when the Coyotes added to their lead. Junior Alaina Novotny (Omaha, Neb.) led off the inning with a double, and moved to third on a single by Johnson.

A fielder’s choice by junior Jessica Lussman (Storm Lake, Iowa) moved Johnson to third but saw Novotny out on a play at home. Lussman stole second, putting runners on second and third with one out.

Senior Dani Bahlmann (Marshall, Minn.) ripped a double to right field to score both runners, extending the Coyote lead to 3-0.

USD put the game out of reach in the sixth. Johnson led off the inning with a homer. Two outs later, senior Jasey Goedeken (Columbus, Neb.) reached on an infield single, and later advanced to second on a wild pitch. Junior Lexie Eversley (Yankton, S.D.) singled through the left side to score Goedeken, building the USD lead to 5-0.

The Coyotes weren’t through, as Jones delivered again, ripping a two-run homer to right center to push their lead to 7-0.

The run support was plenty for Johnson, who fired her second straight shutout. She struck out eight and walking only one, allowing just four hits. Only one CSM runner reached third base against Johnson.

The Flames (8-21) had a threat in the seventh, but with two out, Novotny made a diving play in foul territory to end the threat and the game.

Johnson also finished 2-for-3 with an RBI at the plate, while Bahlmann was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Eversley was 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Novotny, Goedeken and Lussman had hits for USD.

In the second game, USD got on the board in the second. Johnson led off with single. Lussman reached on a throwing error, which advanced her to second and moved Johnson to third.

One out later, Bahlmann stepped up again, singling up the middle to drive in both runners, giving USD a 2-0 lead.

The Coyotes added to their lead in the fourth. Sophomore Alexa Rudeen (Sioux City, Iowa) led off with a double, and scored on a double by Johnson, giving USD 3-0 advantage. One out later, Bahlmann reached on an error in left, allowing Johnson to score the Coyotes’ fourth run.

USD added two insurance runs in the fifth. Eversley was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and one out later, senior Callie Roan (Sioux City, Iowa) reached on a bunt single. Rudeen singled to left, scoring Eversley. The ball was misplayed left on the play, allowing Roan to score the Coyotes’ sixth run.

Blackburn didn’t allow an earned run in picking up her third win of the year. She struck out seven and walked none and scattered 10 hits.

Rudeen and Johnson each were 2-for-3 with an RBI for USD, while Bahlmann was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Jones, Roan and Lussman had hits.

The Coyotes conclude the regular season on Saturday, May 1 at home against North Dakota. The nonconference doubleheader begins at 3 p.m. at Nygaard Field in Vermillion. It will be senior day and also be USD’s Pink Out, which is being held to raise awareness about cancer.