MESA, Ariz. - Minot State University earned a big win in the first of two games Saturday at the Russ Matt Greater Phoenix Invitational.
MSU defeated Dakota Athletic Conference rival Dickinson State 8-1 in the first game, but the Beavers had to settle for a split on the day as MSU fell 7-6 to Benedictine University-Springfield (Ill.) in game 2.
“Honestly, I didn't thing we played that well against Benedictine,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “We had two or three poor base running decisions that kept us from winning that game. We think they are a team we should beat, but we get another shot at them tomorrow.”
MSU finishes its annual trip to Arizona with one more game against Benedictine starting at 9:30 a.m. (MST). MSU is 6-8 overall and is 6-4 so far at the Invitational.
In the first game against the Blue Hawks, MSU trucked out its most reliable pitcher so far this season, sophomore lefthander Anthony Friesen (P, Somerset, Manitoba). Friesen responded with a seven-hit gem, allowing just one run and struck out eight batter. While it was Friesen's normal spot in the rotation, Weppler was hoping he could deliver a message.
“We expect to be one of the teams to beat in the DAC this year and we were hoping he would send a message,” he said. “I don't think Dickinson played very well, they are a better team than that, but we didn't let them get in the game. We know Anthony is going to attack hitters and he is showing more maturity this year. I think he has the right mindset on the mound.”
MSU built a 6-0 lead after a six-run third and added runs in the fifth and sixth innings against Dickinson starter CJ Ketron. MSU had five players who had multi-hit games. Andrew Lochhead (Jr., OF, Reston, Manitoba) led the way with three hits, two runs scored and a run batted in. Ryne Hornecker (Jr., SS, Minot, N.D.) finished with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored and Connor Moughtin (Fr., C, Victoria, British Columbia) went 2-for-2, driving in three. Michael Mesh (Jr., 2B, Oak Grove, Mo.) and Jaret Chat wood (Sr., C/Util., Red Deer, Alberta) both finished with two hits as well.
“We are still hitting pretty well,” Weppler said. “We're getting good production from 1-9 just about every game.”
Against Benedictine, MSU also built a solid lead, going up 6-1 with a five-run fifth. But the Beavers game up four in the bottom of the fifth and left runs on the bases as MSU made multiple base running errors in the game.
“With our aggressive style, there are going to be some errors on the bases, but we have to clean it up,” said Weppler. “We made too many base running mistakes and it kept us from break the game open.”
MSU also couldn't hold down the lead as the Beavers gave up a run in the seventh to tie the game and another in the eighth as Benedictine rallied in extra innings. Cole Stober (So., P, Hays, Alberta) started the game and pitched a decent game, giving up eight hits and six runs in six innings. Joel Peterman (Jr., P, Red Deer, Alberta) suffered the loss in relief, going the final 1 1/3 innings.
Mesh and Caleb Heilman (Jr., 2B, Burlington, N.D.) finished with two hits each, while Hornecker and Chatwood each went 1-for-3 with two RBIs each. Hornecker continued a torrid pace to start the season as he leads the nation in batting, boasting a lofty .600 batting average. He is also No. 1 in the country in assists per game with 3.917 per game.