Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON, Ariz. – Minot State head baseball coach Brock Weppler has been waiting for his lineup to explode for some runs.

The Beavers did just that Tuesday afternoon at Kino Sports Complex as they plated 17 runs and ripped 26 hits as they beat Southwest Minnesota State 13-11, but lost to Lubbock Christian 10-4.

In game one, MISU gave up a first inning run, but then turned around and put up two runs on an RBI triple from Mike Turcotte (Sr., CF, Victoria, British Columbia) and a single from Andrew Roach (So., OF, Gilbert, Ariz.) which scored Turcotte. Minot State never game up that lead, as they won their third consecutive game over SMSU.

“Both teams really battled in our first game,” said Weppler. “We had the lead for almost the whole game, but it was back and forth. We would score, they would score, then we would score again. You never want to see your team give up 11 runs, but it's good to see our team in that type of ball game to see how we would respond.”

Austin Zorn (So., P, Bismarck, N.D.) picked up his second win of the season in a five inning performance. Zorn gave up six runs on ten hits but had the backing of a strong lineup to assist in the victory.

Turcotte led Minot State with four hits; plating two runs in the process. Roach and Mitch Olson (Sr., 1B/3B, Deloraine, Manitoba) also had solid performances at the plate, each collecting three hits and four RBI.

“We talk about winning every inning and against SMSU I bet we won six or seven of the nine innings and that's what it's all about,” said Weppler. “We want to put the game in segments and we did a nice job of doing that today.

“I think the biggest thing for our guys is reps at the plate,” Weppler said confidently. “Our hitters are getting more comfortable and not as anxious. As the season goes on we are only going to get better as we play more games.”

In the day's second game, the Beavers faced a very big Lubbock Christian University team. LCU came into today with a 18-4 record, hitting 22 home runs in just as many games.

Lubbock Christian pounded three more home runs en route to a 10-4 win over Minot State.

Zane Sawyer (So., P, Virden, Manitoba) was pinned with the loss, as he pitched five innings giving up seven runs on seven hits. As the game carried on, Sawyer improved his accuracy and hung two zero's on the scoreboard in his last two innings.

“Lubbock's a good team and they will be one of the better teams we see all season,” said Weppler. “We hung with them though, they had their No. 2 guy pitching against us while Sawyer is probably our No. 5 or No. 6 guy and he progressed as the game went on. This was their first game in Tucson and I really liked the way we battled and didn't give up.”

At the plate, MISU scattered 10 hits lead by Turcotte, Olson and Brian Vine (Sr., C, Vida, Mont.) with two apiece. A.J. Begay (Jr., 3B, Salt Lake City, Utah) also had a solid game, drilling a big RBI double and then hitting a sacrifice fly for another RBI.

“I was really impressed with our hitters having quality at bats,” said Weppler. “We were doing the right things; we are hitting behind runners, showing awareness and making productive outs instead of not even putting the ball in play.”

Minot State (6-3 overall 0-0 NSIC) will enjoy an off day Wednesday before getting back into action Thursday, March 14 against Bemidji State University and St. Ambrose University.