MINOT, N.D. – Similar to yesterday's double-header with Southwest Minnesota State, the Minot State baseball team split its double-header with the Mustangs Sunday afternoon in Marshall, Minn. The Beavers dropped the first game 12-7 and took the second 18-14.

"Overall I thought we did a better job of competing," Minot State head coach Brock Weppler said. "Jesse (Goertzen) was a lot better than his numbers. With the way this wind blew today you didn't know what to expect going into it."

In the day's first game, the Beavers got off to a strong start courtesy of Kyle Williamson's (Fr., OF, Aurora, Ore.) lead-off home run, his first home run of the season and of his collegiate career.

After SMSU took the lead in the second inning on a two-run home run, the Beavers came right back and took control of the game in the fourth recording six singles and four runs to take a 5-2 lead into the bottom half.

The Mustangs used the long ball once again, though, in the bottom of the fourth, this time a three-run shot, tying the game at five.

Micah Holmen (Jr., 1B, Minot, N.D.) joined the home run party in the top of the fifth giving the Beavers a 7-5 lead with a two-run shot, but that's the last lead the Beavers would see in the third game of the series.

SMSU rallied to score seven runs in the bottom of the sixth putting the game out of reach and ultimately taking game three of the series 12-7.

Doug Rolfson (Jr., P, Watford City, N.D.), who came into the game to relieve Jesse Goertzen in the sixth inning, was charged with the loss. Goertzen ended his start giving up seven earned runs in five-plus innings of work.

The Beavers rebounded in the final game of the series winning 18-14 in a slugfest.

Minot State once again got off to a quick start as both Williamson and Jared Young (Fr., P/INF, Prince George, British Columbia) doubled in the first inning giving the Beavers a 1-0 lead.

"The guys were energized from the get-go," Weppler said. "From pitch one of that game it was just a different team. The guys had fun, the guys played hard and they played for each other. Ultimately that's what we're after."

After the Mustangs took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning, Minot State struck for 10 runs in the second inning topped off by a Holmen grand slam with two outs. Trevor Gust (Sr., C, Minot, N.D.) led off the inning with a solo home run.

The Beavers put the game out of reach by adding on four more runs in the sixth inning courtesy of six singles.

Paul Vogelsang (So., C, Regina, Saskatchewan), Keith Ailes (Jr., OF/1B, Bozeman, Mont.) and Gust each tacked on a run for the Beavers in the eighth with RBI singles.

Austin Berntson (Jr., P/OF, Minot, N.D.) was credited with the win as he finished his day throwing six innings and giving up seven earned runs. He struck out an impressive 10 batters he faced.

Minot State's offensive numbers on the day were impressive as they recorded 12 hits in the first game of the day and 24 in the second game.

Holmen led the way going a combined 5-for-7 with eight RBIs and two home runs. Ailes had a big day for the Beavers as well going 6-for-7 including a perfect 4-for-4 second game.

Eight different Beavers recorded an RBI in one of the two games.

With the day's results, Minot State moves to 6-13 overall and 3-5 in the NSIC. SMSU moves to 9-11 overall and 2-2 in the Northern Sun.

Minot State will hold its home opener this Friday, April 3 at Corbett Field. Friday's first pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.