TUCSON, Ariz. - The Minot State University baseball team held a 5-3 lead going into the eighth inning. The Beavers used three pitchers to get out of that inning, but the three gave up eight runs to change the game in favor of the University of Antelope Valley. MSU answered with two of their own, but it wasn't enough. The two teams each scored two runs in the final inning to end the game 13-9.

A total of six pitchers made appearances for the Beavers and 13 others saw the field in some capacity. That's the way it'll play out often this season according to head coach Brock Weppler.

"With the depth we have, that is going to be our style," Weppler said. "That's how we are going to play. Our team has to understand what their role is and to get the job done when they have the opportunity. A guy like Austin Berntson, for example, came in today. He hasn't had a ton of at bats, but he comes in today and hits a double right away for us."

Berntson (Sr., Minot, N.D.) also earned a trip to first base on a walk in his second time facing a pitcher. That's the standard though for Minot State as this is their seventh time in ten games scoring six or more runs. Today, it was nine runs on 15 hits. Where the Beavers have yet to set a standard is in their bullpen.

"Our bullpen is where we're missing some guys right now," Weppler said. "We have had guys that have been better so far. Guys show some glimpses, but it's not all there yet. We're still learning some things about these players. It's tough to know what to expect when the consistency isn't there. We need some confidence and to have pitchers attacking hitters. Right now I think we are going out there and hoping we do a good job."

The ninth-year head coach was happy with the way his team's defense improve and the way his batters are performing. He was also happy with his two main pitchers used today, starter Tanner Alexander (Jr., Ontario, Ore.) gave up two runs in 3.2 innings, but had to throw a lot of balls to do so while Kendal Daniels (Jr., Regina, Saskatchewan) made his season debut pitching 2.1 innings without allowing a hit.

"I thought Tanner did a good job," Weppler said. "He gave it everything he had. The opposing team did a good job against him as far as working up his pitch count. They made Tanner work for everything so he wasn't out there too long. He gave us a chance, it was 2-1 when he left.

"Then we saw Kendal for the first time this year. I thought he was tremendous. We expect him to be a pretty good pitcher. For him to not see the mound yet, we thought we would get his feet wet today before his next start. He did a great job."

Paul Vogelsang (C, Jr., Regina, Saskatchewan) led the Beavers with four hits and three RBIs on five at bats including a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Celestino Rodriguez (1B, Fr., Crystal Lake, Ill.) also hit a home run, his second in two days.

Minot State will play Northern State and Valley City State tomorrow, May 18, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.