Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2

BILLINGS, Mont. – Minot State University lost its second marathon game of the season, falling 6-5 in 11 innings in game 2 at Montana State-Billings in nonconference NCAA Division II baseball Saturday at Dehler Park.

The Beavers were defeated 8-4 in the opener. The two teams will complete a four-game set Sunday.

In the second game, Minot State carried leads into the bottom of the 10th and the 11th but couldn't lock down the win.

“It was a very frustrating way to lose a game, but it was probably equally frustrating to be in that position in the first place,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “We had nine hits through seven innings, but couldn't get more runs.”

In the top of the 9th, MSU got a big two-out double that scored two from Trevor Gust (R-Fr., C, Minot, N.D.) but the Yellowjackets matched it with a three-run home run in the bottom of the inning by Blake Nelson.

In the 11th, MSU again plated a run as Mike Turcotte (Jr., OF, Victoria, British Columbia) drove in Jordan Gilmour (Jr., OF, Gatineau, Quebec). This time, MSU-B countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

The loss spoiled a fine pitching performance by Beavers starting pitcher Cole Stober (Jr., P, Hays, Alberta), who went 6  1/3 innings, giving up just five hits and one run while striking out seven.

The Beavers stranded 11 runners in the game, many in the first seven innings.

“We had plenty of opportunities,” said Weppler. “We had opportunity after opportunity. It's too bad to not get those hits when Cole throws like he did.”

Game 1 didn't have the late-inning drama, but it was another game where Minot State had a great chance to win. The Beavers carried a 4-0 lead into the fifth inning, but gave up five in the bottom of the fifth.

MSU starting pitcher Zane Sawyer (Fr., P, Virden, Manitoba) fought through 4 1/3 innings, but a couple of walks caught up with him.

“He battled the whole way, but he kept pitching himself into jams,” Weppler said. “It was only a matter of time before it caught up to us.”

MSU outhit MSU-B in the pair of games, finishing with a 20-17 advantage but stranded 23 runners in two games.

Brian Vine (Jr., C, Vida, Mont.) had two hits in both game 1 and game 2 to pace the Beavers at the plate. Turcotte had three hits in game 2, while Scott Peters (Sr., DH, Altona, Manitoba) finished with a pair of hits in the second game. Mitch Olson (Jr., 1B, Deloraine, Manitoba) drove in two runs in game 1 for MSU.