Box Score BISMARCK, N.D. – It was a rough afternoon for the Minot State University baseball team's offense.

The Beavers (9-13 Overall) recorded just one hit as they were shutout in non-conference action against NCAA Division I opponent North Dakota State University at Dwyer Field in Bismarck, N.D. The Bison (8-13 Overall) snapped their seven game losing streak as they beat MISU, 5-0.

Andrew Roach (Jr., OF, Gilbert, Ariz.) was the only Beaver to record a hit in the loss as he laced a base hit to left field with two outs in the first inning. It was quickly erased as Roach was thrown out by NDSU catcher Michael Leach to end the inning.

The Bison pitching staff then went 8.1 innings of no hit, shutout baseball. As a staff, six different pitchers combined for ten strikeouts led by winning pitcher Trent Keefer with four strikeouts in two innings pitched.

"They (NDSU) don't have games scheduled for this weekend so they had some guys that needed to get some work in," said Minot State head coach Brock Weppler. "They filled up the zone and didn't make a lot mistakes, to their credit. We need to flat out do a better job at making adjustments at the plate."

Minot State kept themselves in the game in large part due to the pitching by starter Austin Zorn (Jr., P, Bismarck, N.D.). Zorn had one of his better outings of the season as he went six innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out for Bison batters. However, Zorn did suffer his first loss of the 2014 season.

"Zorn did a good job," said Weppler. "We all know it wasn't his best stuff but he battled out there. He kept them off balance and threw strikes and that's basically what he has done for three years with us. It was a good outing for him overall."

The closest thing to a rally for MISU came in the top of the eighth inning, as the Beavers trailed just 2-0. A.J. Begay (Sr., 3B, Salt Lake City, Utah) drew a leadoff walk which was followed by Paul Vogelsang (R-Fr., C, Regina, Saskatchewan) reaching on an NDSU error.

Minot State couldn't bring a run home in the inning, as they left runners on second and third base to end the inning.
"We couldn't really do much," said Weppler. "We only had the leadoff guy reach once the entire game and then we didn't execute. We need to get the leadoff guy on more so we are able to do a bit more offensively.

"I think we got complacent and just satisfied that we were still in the game with a Division I opponent," said Weppler. "We need to have a better mindset than that. We need to have the mentality to win these games instead of being happy we are just down one run."

Minot State will resume Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at home on April 12 & 13 as they host Concordia University, St. Paul for a four-game series at Corbett Field.