RAPID CITY, S.D. – Last minute travel plans and an eight-hour bus trip for a home game didn't affect Minot State University pitching.

The Beavers got two brilliant performances on the mound by Tanner Lorenz (Sr., Harvey, N.D.) and Anthony Friesen (So., Somerset, Manitoba) to get its first conference wins.

MSU gave up just one run in 16 innings of work in Rapid City, taking down Dakota State 6-1 and 5-0 to get the team's first Dakota Athletic Conference wins this season here Saturday.

“I think our focus was good,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “We are kind of used to traveling at this point so this was nothing out of the norm for us. We are happy to get a couple conference wins.”

The Beavers (2-6 DAC, 10-16 overall) and Trojans were originally scheduled to play in Minot today and Sunday, but snow forces the games to be moved. MSU has now played all six of its DAC games in Rapid City.

In game 1, Lorenz was very good as he gave up just a lone run in the third inning on his way to striking out 14 batters. One big key for the Lorenz and for the Beavers was the offense got going early.

“We got out to a lead. That has been something we have struggled with and something we have stressed,” Weppler said. “I think it definitely helped Tanner. He has matched up with some of the No. 1s around and runs haven't been easy to come by. It was good to go out and get some runs early in this one.”

MSU's Jaret Chatwood (Sr., C, Red Deer, Alberta) hit his second home run of the game and the Beavers pounded out 14 hits.

“We hit well. I thought we have a lot of quality at bats and got some things done at the plate,” said Weppler.

In game 2, the hits were a little harder to come by but it didn't matter as Friesen tossed a gem. He gave up just four hits and no runs while striking out 15 in a nine-inning complete game.

“Friesen was good on the hill for us,” Weppler said. “He went all nine and was in control. We have come to expect that from him this year.”

The Beavers only had MSU continues is home stand in South Dakota with a pair of conference games with Dakota State beginning at 9 a.m. (MT)