Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minot State University shook off a poor start in Idaho to push nationally ranked Minnesota State in nonconference NCAA Division II baseball Thursday at the Metrodome.
The Beavers fell twice to the No. 16 ranked Mavericks, losing 9-4 and 3-2 in an 11-inning marathon. It was in stark contrast to the Beavers opening four-game series with Northwest Nazarene University less than a week ago.
“I mean, overall, we're pretty happy with how we played considering how last week went,” said Minot State head coach Brock Weppler. “Everyone on this team was hurt over how we played last week and were embarrassed with how it went. The losses sting, but if feels a lot better than after the third game last week.”
Minot State (0-6 overall) did have a slow start to game 1, falling behind 4-0 after the first inning. Minot added a run back in the second, but trailed 9-1 heading into the sixth inning. The Beavers rallied for three in the inning, but couldn't get any closer.
The Mavericks (2-0) used four pitchers to limit the Beavers to 10 hits and four runs with Jason Hoppe earning the win on the hill. Minot State's Cole Stober (Jr., P, Hays, Alberta) dropped to 0-2 on the season, going 4 innings, while giving up eight runs - but just five earned - while striking out three.
“We had a big error in the first inning that was hard to overcome. There are always what-ifs, but that was a big one right off the bat,” Weppler said.
Minnesota State was led by Patrick Dockendorf's three hits and two runs batted in.
The Beavers had a trio of players with a pair of hits as Mike Turcotte (Jr., CF, Victoria, British Columbia), Mitch Olson (Jr., 3B, Deloraine, Manitoba) and Connor Moughtin (So., C, Victoria, British Columbia) all went 2-for-3 at the plate. Olson, Scott Peters (Sr., 1B/DH, Altona, Manitoba), Andrew Roach (R-Fr., P/OF, Gilbert, Ariz.) and Doug Richter (Jr., INF, Williston, N.D.) drove un runs.
In game 2, Minot was an out away from one of its biggest wins in school history as the Beavers led 2-1 heading into the seventh inning. Minnesota State, however, scratched him a run to tie the game send it into extra innings. Mavericks' Kyle Svoboda, a pinch runner, scored both the game tying run in the seventh and the winner in the 11th.
“We were basically one pitch away, one big hit away,” Weppler said.
The Beavers pitching staff was solid in the second game as starter Zane Sawyer (Fr., P, Virden, Manitoba) went six innings, giving up just three hits and two runs. Relievers Joel Peterman (Sr., P, Red Deer, Manitoba) and Roach went 4 1/3 innings pitched with just the one run allowed. Roach suffered the loss despite 2 1/3 innings of three-hit ball.
Matt Kuchenbecker hit a home run and finished 2-for-4 for the Mavericaks, while Svoboda was 2-for-2.
Olson and Peters each finished with two hits, while Olson and Moughtin drove in runs.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Beavers as Minot State is back under the roof at the Metrodome Friday with a pair of games against St. Cloud State starting at 9 a.m.
– GO BEAVERS –
