JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Minot State University stranded at least two runners four innings and 13 runners overall as Dickinson State ended the Beavers season with an 11-5 win in a loser out game at the Dakota Athletic Conference baseball tournament Sunday at Jack Brown Stadium.
“We had a lot of base runners again today – we stranded a lot of guys,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “We had been doing a pretty good job of that, a good job of getting the big hit, but didn't quite do it today. We hit the ball well all game, but couldn't drive them in.”
MSU tied the game at four with a four-run sixth inning, but gave up seven runs over the final four innings. Brody Pinkerton (P, Jr., Pilot Mound, Manitoba) suffered the loss in relief. MSU starter Paul Thompson (P, So., Pierson, Manitoba) worked in and out of jams for four innings and left the game after throwing 102 pitches threw four.
“He is usually pretty efficient, but when he got to 100 we looked at getting him out of there. It wasn't a very nice day, windy and rainy the whole game, so we decided to take him out,” Weppler said. “We walked some guys and did a good job of pitching out of some jams, but threw a lot of pitches.”
Dickinson (30-18) broke things open late with a five-run top of the ninth. MSU, on the other hand, stranded three runners in the bottom of the ninth.
MSU (21-30) got four hits from freshman Mitch Olson (3B, Fr., Deloraine, Manitoba), two apiece from Kerry Boon (OF, Sr., Red Deer, Alberta) and Scott Peters (C, So., Altona, Manitoba) and a 1-for-2 day from Eli Mihalick (3B, Jr., Minot, N.D.).
The Beavers return most of its roster intact as they have just two seniors on the squad, causing Weppler to optimistic for next season.
“We obviously wanted to win, but in perspective, only one team moves on and the others can't, so we feel we were successful overall,” Weppler said. “We won 21 games and I can't remember when this program had that many. We battled through some injuries and think we took a big step. We have a bright future and we hope to turn the corner next year. We are very close.”
