CHANDLER, Ariz.– Minot State University and Mayville State might not be in the same conference anymore, but that didn't quell any tensions between the two programs.

The Beavers and Comets battled each other for 16 innings Sunday but in the end nothing was settled as the teams split a pair of games at the Russ Matt Greater Phoenix Invitational.

MSU withstood a seventh-inning rally by the Comets to earn a 2-1 win in game 1, before Mayville bounced back for a 6-4 win in game 2.

There wasn't much separating the two teams in either game.

“Any time you lose a game its tough, but I was pleased with our effort,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “We try to win every inning and I thought we did that except for a four-spot in the first inning (of the second game). Even in the second game, we chipped away and chipped away.”

MSU rode the pitching performance of junior Cole Stober (Jr., P, Hays, Alberta) in game 1 as he twirled a gem. He pitched 8 2/3 innings giving up just five hits and one run while striking out nine.

“Cole threw well, I was happy with how he pitched, but that's flat-out what we expect from him,” Weppler said. “He's not a freshman or sophomore anymore. He has got to pitch like that if he is going to be our No. 1.”

The Beavers couldn't quite lock down the win in regulation as Mayville State scored a single run in the bottom of the seventh.

But the Beavers manufactured a run in the ninth. Andrew Roach (R-Fr., OF, Gilbert, Ariz.) led off and walked. Trey Jacobson (Fr., OF, Watford City, N.D.) pinch ran and was moved up to second on a perfect sacrifice bunt from cleanup hitter Mitch Olson (Jr., 1B, Deloraine, Manitoba). Scott Peters (Sr., DH, Altona, Manitoba) followed with a single to score Jacobson to give the Beavers the lead.

After Stober waivered a little in the ninth, Joel Peterman (Sr., P, Red Deer, Alberta) came in to lock down his first save of the season.
In game 2, the Beavers gave up four runs to the Comets and played catch up the rest of the way.

“We battled the entire game and I really felt like we were going to get the winning run basically the entire way,” said Weppler. “I guess we didn't and settled for the split. That's baseball sometimes.”

Peters continued to hit the ball well as he followed up a 2 for 4 performance with another 2 for 4 outing and an RBI. Mike Turcotte (Jr., CF, Victoria, British Columbia) went 2 for 4 as well in both games. Connor Moughtin (So., Victoria, British Columbia) picked up two hits in game 1, while Brian Vine (Jr., C, Vida, Mont.) collected two in game 2.

MSU plays a single 9-inning game at Arizona Christian University Tuesday at noon (AZT).