SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minot State University overcame another one-run loss to take the second game and earn a split with the University of Sioux Falls.

The Beavers gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to fall 5-4 in first game but got a solid starting pitching performance by Ben Sansaver (Jr., INF, Kalispell, Mont.) to take the finale 6-2 in nonconference NCAA Division II baseball Saturday at Harmodon Park.

“It was getting pretty frustrating,” said MSU head coach Brock Weppler. “It has been frustrating all season, but (Saturday) you could see it on all of their faces. There wasn't much I could say at that point. We basically just told them you have to put that first game behind you.”

Sansaver, who hadn't pitched in college until this season, was solid in game 2 just when the Beavers needed him the most. He went all seven, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out three.

“Paul Thompson (Sr., P, Pierson, Manitoba) couldn't go so we figured we would kind of 'staff' it. We had Magnuson (Ben Magnuson, Fr., P, Minot, N.D.) ready, but Sansaver was good,” Weppler said. “We got the 4-1 lead and got some runs late.”

The 4-1 lead made a big difference for the Beavers as they were able to stick with Sansaver. MSU scored four in the first on three straight singles and a two-run triple by Mitch Olson (Jr., 1B, Deloraine, Manitoba). Olson and Scott Peters finished with RBIs in the inning.

“We had some pretty good approaches at the plate,” Weppler said. “But I thought we kind of played a like we have all year. We got a couple runs early, relaxed a little and then started pressing. We will have to get better at scoring runs.”

Peters finished with three RBIs, while Olson and Ryne Hornecker (Sr., SS, Minot, N.D.) finished with two hits apiece. Hornecker and Mike Turcotte (Jr., OF, Victoria, British Columbia) both scored two runs for MSU.

Game 1 was nearly a carbon copy of Friday's first game as MSU got a late run to take a lead, only to see the Cougars score in a walk-off fashion. MSU led 3-0 early on before USF tied the game in the fifth. The Beavers scored again in the top of the ninth, but the Cougars rallied.

Zane Sawyer (Fr., P, Virden, Manitoba) pitched well enough to win, going six innings, giving up three runs on five hits with three strikeouts, but the Beavers couldn't lock the game down. Joel Peterman (Sr., P, Red Deer, Alberta) was tagged with the loss in relief.

Jordan Gilmour (Jr., OF, Gatineau, Quebec), Alex Fornshell (So., INF, Minot, N.D.) and Olson all had a pair of hits for the Beavers. Olson knocked in two more runs and went 2 for 3 in the game, while Gilmour scored two runs.

“We felt we should have won three of four games this weekend, so we are little disappointed in that. We thought we outplayed them in three of the four,” Weppler said. “But we came out on the losing end. The win in the final game will help the bus trip home, however.”

The Beavers have moved back their midweek game with Jamestown College originally scheduled for Monday. MSU and JC will play Wednesday in a single 9-inning game in Harvey starting at 4 p.m.