BOX SCORE GAME 1

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University used a couple rarities to snap an eight-game losing streak.

First, the Beavers squeezed home a run that proved to be the game-winner and had three assists from the outfield at home plate.

“You don't see that very often,” said MSU head baseball coach Brock Weppler of the assists. “We really stuck with it today and battled.”

The Beavers scored the eventual game winner as Kory Houston (Sr., OF, Minot, N.D.) squeezed home Jaret Chatwood (Sr., C, Red Deer, Alberta) in the third inning and five MSU pitchers – and the three assists – preserved the 3-2 win Thursday at Jack Hoeven Ballpark.

“The outfielders went hard and a good throw up the line. Good things are going to happen when you do all that,” Weppler said. “It was a tough day with the wind blowing in. Runs were going to be tough to come by.”

The Beavers (8-16 overall) built a 3-0 lead with a single run in the second inning and two in the third. MSU scored in the second as catcher Ben Kramer (R-Fr., Minot, N.D.) singled home Houston. The Beavers got it to 2-0 in the third when Chatwood singled home Michael Mesh (Jr., 2B, Oak Grove, Mo.), setting up the squeeze two batters later.

“The squeeze definitely won the game,” Weppler said. “It was executed real well.”

Dickinson State scored twice in the sixth and threatened to score in the second and eighth inning as well as tack on another run in the sixth before the Beavers gunned runners out at home. MSU's Jordan Gilmour (So., OF, Gatineau, Quebec) threw out Liam Foran in the second, Houston mowed down Derek Carly in the sixth and Nolan Jago (So., OF, Brandon, Manitoba) got the assist by catching Travis Setere at home in the eighth.

“I am very happy with this win. Gosh, it seems like we have been in one-run games for a month and teams have found a way to beat us,” Weppler said. “But today, we figured out a way to win. The biggest thing is lately the guys have been flat, complaining about things, but I didn't hear that today.”

MSU's five pitchers were solid on the mound overall as starter Bryan Krahler (Sr., P, Fessenden, N.D.) and relievers Jamin Heller (So., P, Lethbridge, Alberta), Cody Nevins (So., P, Brandon, Manitoba) and Paul Thompson (Jr., P, Pierson, Manitoba) all worked at least an inning without giving up a run. Jarrett Duchscher (Jr., P, Regina, Saskatchewan) gave up both runs, but earned the win and Thompson nailed down the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.

“The pitching was good,” said Weppler. “On a day like today, with the wind blowing in, they had the advantage and they took advantage of the conditions. Krahler had a great start and we showed we have some depth on the mound.”

There were 16 hits in the game, but neither team finished with an extra base hit. MSU was led by Mitch Olson (So., 3B, Deloraine, Manitoba) who finished with two hits. Chatwood, Kramer and Houston all finished with RBIs.

The Beavers get back into conference play Saturday and Sunday as they play host to Dakota State at Corbett Field beginning at 1 p.m. both days.