MESA, Ariz. – Minot State University baseball woke up its bats just in time for game 2.

The Beavers pounded out 18 hits and defeated Northwestern College (Iowa) 13-1 in the second game to earn a split to start its Russ Matt Greater Phoenix Invitational Saturday morning at Gene Autry Park.

MSU (2-12 overall) struggled to score key runs in a 6-3 loss in game 1.

“We got down and struggled at times to have a purpose at the plate,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler about game 1. “But we came back and I was pretty happy with how we were at the plate in game 2.”

Minot opened game 2 with a 7-run first inning as the first seven players in the lineup reached base and scored. Jordan Gilmour (Jr., OF, Gatineau, Quebec) and Mitch Olson (Jr., 1B, Deloraine, Manitoba) each smacked doubles and Olson, Ryne Hornecker (Sr. SS, Minot, N.D.), Scott Peters (Sr., DH, Altona, Manitoba) and Alex Fornshell (So., INF, Minot, N.D.) all finished with runs batted in in the inning.

“We had nine of 10 guys who played get a hit and were good from top to bottom,” Weppler said. “We have to do that to win because we aren't going to hit a lot of home runs. Plus we put a team away, something we haven't done a good job of all season.”

Austin Zorn (Fr., P/IF, Bismarck, N.D.) earned the win on the mound for the Beavers, pitching five innings, while giving up just seven hits and the one run. He struck out two batters and walked two, but none after the first inning.

“We knew what we would get out of Zorn,” said Weppler. “He pounds the zone and doesn't give up many free passes. He threw a good game.”

Gilmour and Caleb Heilman (Sr., 3B, Burlington, N.D.) each finished the day with four hits, while Heilman drove in three and Gilmour finished with two stolen bases. Hornecker, Peters and Mike Turcotte (Jr., OF, Victoria, British Columbia) followed with two hits each.

Game 1 was one of frustration for MSU as Jared Kirkeby kept the Beavers from finding a grove. Kirkeby was by no means overpowering, but limited the Beavers to seven hits in a complete game win.

“We had seven guys with a hit, just not one big one,” Weppler said. “We need to make every inning count and win every inning.”

MSU trailed 4-1 entering the fifth before redshirt freshman Andrew Roach (P/OF, Gilbert, Ariz.) doubled home Gilmour and Turcotte to make it 4-3. But MSU didn't get another run in the inning and the Raiders scored two in the top of the seventh for insurance.

MSU starter Paul Thompson (Sr., Pierson, Manitoba) pitched 6 2/3, giving up nine hits and six runs with four strikeouts, but couldn't lock down NWC.
“Paul pitched all right, but we needed him to be better,” said Weppler. “He struggled to put them away.”

Peters added another double to his hit total on the day for MSU.

The Beavers entertain an old rival as they play Mayville State Sunday in a double header at Snedigar Park.