Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON, Ariz. – Minot State baseball continued their offensive hot streak, ripping 33 hits in two games Friday afternoon, but it was no enough to get two wins.

The Beavers split their two games at Kino Sports Complex, beating Wayland Baptist University 23-8 in game one and then falling in extra innings to Mount Marty College 10-9.

Against Mount Marty, MISU fought hard for a win but the Beavers committed five errors that proved damaging in their fifth loss of the year.

“Our defense was sloppy and a little hesitant today,” said Minot State head coach Brock Weppler. “It's been that way for most of the games here. The ground is a little drier here and when the ball hits that dirt, it comes off a lot with a bad bounce which can get by you or cause a bad throw.”

In the ninth inning, MISU was down to their final out as Brian Vine (Sr., C, Vida, Mont.) stepped into the box with the tying run on second base. Vine delivered the game-tying single to center field, energizing the Minot State bench.

Moving forward to the bottom of the tenth inning, Mount Marty looked to sacrifice their base runner to second base. The Lancer's Tyler Ender dropped down the bunt but A.J. Begay (Jr., 3B, Salt Lake City, Utah) threw the ball away causing the Lancer runner to score all the way from first, ending the game.

“It was obviously a tough loss and we never want to give up ten runs, but to our guys' credit they battled the whole game,” said Weppler. “We just didn't make some of the plays we needed to make and that made us battle from behind all game. It was a team loss and I'm proud of the way we battled today.”

Begay led the Beavers at the plate going 4 for 4, with four singles. Vine also had a solid game plating three RBI on two hits.

In the first game on the day, Minot State's offense was too powerful for Wayland Baptist to handle. The 23 runs were the most scored by any Minot State baseball team in the last five seasons. The game was called due to the “ten run rule” in the seventh inning.

“In the first game we came out with the mindset to knock out their starter early,” said Weppler. “We were able to do that today which led us to be successful. Teams are now starting to get in that situation that we are in where you might be down in the bullpen and you need to save some arms for the next game and that comes in to play in how you use your pitchers.”

Mitch Olson (Sr., 1B, Deloraine, Manitoba) was an RBI machine, knocking in six runs on three hits. Olson also came around the bases to score twice in the win.

Mike Turcotte (Sr., CF, Victoria, British Columbia) and Andrew Roach (So., OF, Gilbert, Ariz.) set the table for Olson. Turcotte and Roach each collected three hits and each came around to score four times.

Connor Moughtin (Jr., C, Victoria, British Columbia) did not record a hit in against Wayland Baptist, but the junior did confirm effective, driving in three runs. Sean Arbaut (Jr., Inf., Tehachapi, Calif.) also had a solid game, working two walks and recording a hit while driving in two RBI.

Austin Bernston (Fr., P, Minot, N.D.) picked up his first collegiate win, pitching six innings allowing seven hits and five runs. Bernston also struck out three batters in the victory.

Minot State (8-5 overall 0-0 NSIC) will play their final game of the Tucson Invitational Games Saturday morning when the battle Bemidji State at 12 p.m. Central Standard Time. MISU fell to Bemidji State on March 14, 12-2.

“Tomorrow we need to clean up the defense,” Weppler passionately stated. “We are scoring runs and swinging well, so we are right where we want to be. The biggest factor might be our team's hunger. We are going to have revenge on the mind and we are looking forward to getting after in with Bemidji State.”