MESA, Ariz. – Minot State University baseball got into its NAIA schedule Saturday.

The Beavers promptly picked up two wins.

Minot State got solid starting pitching from Anthony Friesen (So., P, Somerset, Manitoba) and Cole Stober (So., P, Hays, Alberta) as the duo gave up just two earned runs in a combined 13 innings pitched as MSU defeated Northwestern College (Iowa) and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) at the Russ Matt Greater Phoenix Invitational.

“Our starting pitching was outstanding,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “The first game wasn't pretty, we made some miscues in the field including Friesen, but he battled through it and was good. He did everything we asked of him. Stober pitched a phenomenal game for us. It was probably the best I have seen him pitch.”

The Beavers knocked out 12 hits and seven runs to top Northwestern 7-4 in the first game and came back to win a pitcher's duel 2-1 in game 2 over Olivet Nazarene.

Against Northwestern, MSU fell behind 3-0 before rallying for four runs in the third and three more in the sixth.

“I think the solid pitching was a key part of our hitting. Yesterday we tried to do too much and guys were pulling off at the plate,” Weppler said. “We stressed it today in a meeting. We aren't the type of team that is going to have three or four guys hit the long ball. We need to make contact, run and bunt and get all of those things going. I think we did today.”

MSU's Ryne Hornecker (Jr., SS, Minot, N.D.) led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, scoring one run and knocking in another. Scott Peters (Jr., 1B/DH, Altona, Manitoba) drove in three runs and went 1-for-1 at the plate with a double and two base on balls. Alex Fornshell (Fr., 2B, Minot, N.D.) and Jordan Gilmour (So., OF, Gatineau, Quebec) each had two hits with Gilmour driving in two from his leadoff position. MSU's 1-2-3 hitters Gilmour, Fornshell and Hornecker went a combined 8-for-11 with a double, three runs batted in, three runs scored and a stolen base.

“We stressed working as a team and work on our strengths and I think that showed in this game,” Weppler said.

Friesen went the distance, giving up eight hits, four runs, but just one earned, while striking out two batters. He didn't allow a walk.

Against Olivet, the Beavers again fell behind as ONU scored in the bottom of the first inning. It stayed that way until the fifth when MSU plated a run and tied the game. The Beavers got the game winner an inning later.

“Getting the win in game 1 really carried over. We wanted to win that second one,” said Weppler. “We had good approaches at the plate, bared down and got the job done in the late innings.”

Stober went 6 2/3 innings for the win, allowing just six hits, one run, while striking out six batters. Cody Nevins (So., P, Brandon, Manitoba) came in two get the final out of the seventh to earn his first save for the Beavers on the season.

The Beavers (2-6 overall) didn't get a multi-hit game from any one, instead had six players with one hit each. Kory Houston (Sr., OF, Minot, N.D.), Caleb Heilman (Jr., 2B, Burlington, N.D.), Fornshell and Peters all stroked doubles in the game. Peters and Houston had one RBI each and Fornshell and Heilman each scored one run.

MSU plays a pair of junior varsity games Sunday but otherwise has the day off. The Beavers get back to varsity action Monday with a pair of games with the University of Saint Mary (Kan.) starting at Noon.