Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON, Ariz.– The Minot State University baseball team hit their way back to the .500 mark as they scored 26 runs in two games Saturday afternoon at Kino Sports Complex.

The Beavers (6-6 Overall, 0-0 NSIC) defeated Northern Sun foe Southwest Minnesota State University (9-7 Overall, 0-0 NSIC) 15-7 in non-conference action before grinding out a 11-8 win over Dakota Wesleyan University (10-8 Overall).

Against the Mustangs of SMSU, Beaver starting pitcher Joshua Larsen (Jr., P, Surrey, British Columbia) did have his best stuff as he was only able to complete four innings, giving up 11 hits and five earned runs.

However, the Minot State bullpen and some timely hitting propelled the Beavers to victory. Austin Zorn (Jr., P, Bismarck, N.D.) picked up his third win of the season as he pitched two innings while giving up two earned runs and four hits.

While Zorn was still the MISU pitcher, the Minot State offense went to work in the seventh inning as they scored six runs to open the game up. In the inning, the Beavers had just four hits, but with them all coming at opportune moments, exploiting SMSU's errors and walks.

Alec Grothe (So., P, Mandan, N.D.) was the start for MISU, as he picked up a rare three inning save. He had a career day, going three innings, allowing one hit, no runs, while striking out five Mustang batters.

"Our bullpen was big today," said Minot State head coach Brock Weppler. "We've had several times where they have come up big for us this year by keeping the other teams at bay. Offensively, we capitalized with runners on base and made the most of our at bats."

At the plate, MISU was led by Conner Oliver (Jr., OF/P, Dayton, Nev.) with four hits and two RBI while Connor Moughtin (Sr., C, Victoria, British Columbia) had just one hit but notched a team-high three RBI.

Six Minot State players had two or more RBI in the win.

In the days second game, Minot State jumped out to a six to nothing lead over the DWU and used two big home runs off the bat of Paul Vogelsang (R-Fr., C, Regina, Saskatchewan), including a clutch two-run home run to seal the win.

Vogelsang knocked a solo home run just over the right field wall in the third inning, giving the Beavers a 7-4 lead. The Tigers battled back inning by inning, cutting the Minot State lead to one (8-7) in the seventh inning when Vogelsang struck again.

This time, Vogelsang delivered a no-doubter as he crushed a fastball over the left field fence to give the Beavers a three run lead.

"Paul has a good stick and has some carry on his ball," said Weppler. "We are still working on his plate approach but he is getting better every day. He is just aggressive up there and he is confident with the bat. He just needs to continue to improve."

Brock McCashland (Jr., P, Ogden, Utah) picked up his first win on the season as he pitched five innings giving up six earned runs while striking out a season-high seven batters.

At the plate, Vogelsang led the team with four runs batted in while Moughtin had another stellar game, driving in three runs. Sean Arbaut (Sr., Inf., Tehachapi, Calif.) also notched two runs batted in.

"As a team, I think we are achieving the mentality we want to, that we need to scratch and claw for every win and I think today we did that," said Weppler. "We learned today how to keep the foot on the gas and to play for a full day, which gets tough especially when we've played as many games as we have this last week. We just need to find a way to win no matter what it takes."

Minot State is 4-4 during the 2014 Tucson Invitational Games and will look to end the trip with a winning streak as they will face Westmont College on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. PST).