RAPID CITY, S.D. – Minot State University's bats exploded Sunday.

The Beavers pounded out 37 hits in two games, including a season-high 20 in game 1, in Dakota Athletic Conference wins over Dakota State in Rapid City, S.D.

“We definitely had a good day at the plate,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “It started in the first inning of the first game. We had six hits and scored seven runs and it didn't let up from there.”

The Beavers defeated the Trojans 10-1 and 12-2 in a pair of games originally scheduled for Minot, but moved due to inclement weather.

The first inning of the first game read like the rest of the series. MSU had four extra base hits as Connor Moughtin (Fr., C, British Columbia) and Kory Houston (Sr., OF, Minot, N.D.) both tripled, while Scott Peters (Jr., 1B/DH, Altona, Manitoba) and Mitch Olson (So., 3B, Deloraine, Manitoba) doubled. Moughtin and Alex Fornshell (Fr., Inf., Minot, N.D.) both had two hits in the game.

“We had some different guys in the lineup during the two games, but we have done that most of the year in the four-game sets,” Weppler said. “This year we have had the luxury to do that. Guys like Fornshell have given us some depth that we haven't had the last couple of years. It was contagious, whoever we put in was hitting.”

MSU had every batter get at least one hit and seven Beavers finished with two or more in the game. In game 1, every MSU batter got at least one hit and seven Beavers finished with two or more. Fornshell, Moughtin and Houston all finished with three hits. Houston and Olsonhad two runs batted in each.

Cole Stober (So., P, Hays, Alberta) got the win on the hill for MSU, giving up nine hits and one run over six innings pitched.

 “The pitching was good,” said Weppler. “They main thing is Dakota State doesn't quite have the lineup that other teams have, but we have talked about pounding the zone and challenging hitters and we did that today. Plus, we played good defense behind the pitching. We made just one error over the four games.”

In the second game, it was much of the same at the plate for the Beavers as MSU had six batters with multiple hits. Peters, Jaret Chatwood (Sr., C/Util., Red Deer, Alberta) and Jordan Gilmour (So., OF, Gatineau, Quebec) all finished with three hits, while Ryne Hornecker (Jr., SS, Minot, N.D.) finished with two hits and four runs batted in in the win.

The Beavers have won five straight games after losing eight straight previous to a 3-2 win over Dickinson State at Minot's Jack Hoeven Ballpark Thursday.  

MSU (4-6 DAC, 14-16 overall) will try to keep the winning ways going as they head to Mayville State Friday and Saturday for a pair of Dakota Athletic Conference double headers.