MAYVILLE, N.D. – Minot State University has been able to put one or even two aspects of the game together in just about every outing.

But, when the Beavers have lost games, it comes down to one of the three aspects of the game that hasn't come through.

That was the case in again Tuesday as Minot State fell 14-8 and 11-4 to Mayville State in Dakota Athletic Conference baseball.

“It would be nice to put all three together, that is true,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “We didn't play great defense today and it showed. I didn't think we pitched too poorly and hit the ball at times, but we need to be consistent on all three aspects of the game.

“I truly believe, however, that we are capable of doing that in time for the tournament. Bottom line is everyone is going to be 0-0 next week and we have the talent to be really good.”

MSU gave up six runs in the second inning in game 1 to fall behind early. According to Weppler, not having Gold Glove winner Ryne Hornecker (Jr., SS, Minot, N.D.) in the lineup made a difference on defense.

“It showed that Hornecker wasn't in the lineup – not just in errors of mistakes – but the plays that weren't made,” Weppler said. “It moves everybody around to different positions. You really realize how much we miss him defensively.”

MSU battled back to cut the lead to 6-4 with three runs in the fourth, but gave up four in the fourth and fifth innings.

“We battled,” Weppler said. “But we need to make more plays.”

The Beavers finished with 14 hits, getting four base hits from Jordan Gilmour (So., OF, Gatineau, Quebec) and three from Andrew Lochhead (Jr., OF, Reston, Manitoba). Alex Fornshell (Fr., Inf., Minot, N.D.), Kory Houston (Sr., OF, Minot, N.D.) and Michael Mesh (Jr., Inf., Oak Grove, Mo.) all finished with two hits apiece. Anthony Friesen (So., P, Somerset, Manitoba) was tagged with the loss.

In game 2, Minot took a 4-3 lead behind a four run fifth and solid starting pitching from Bryan Krahler (Sr., P, Fessenden, N.D.), but couldn't hold the lead.

“We are getting a little short of arms in the bullpen with the games we have played lately,” Weppler said. “We are digging deep, but we are hoping to find another arm to get the job done in the bullpen.”

Krahler pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up five runs and nine hits, but suffered the loss.

“Bryan threw well for us again,” said Weppler. “We put up some runs in the games, but we need to capitalize on every opportunity and didn't do that. We have talked about how important every inning is, every at bat is.”

Mesh finished with two more hits in game 2, but was the only MSU player with multiple hits. He, Houston and Connor Moughtin (Fr., C, Victoria, British Columbia) all drove in runs.

MSU is off until the weekend as they play host to Valley City State Saturday at Corbett Field (1 p.m.).