DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time all season, Minot State University baseball couldn't generate enough offense to win as the Beavers fell in both games to start a four-game set at Minnesota Duluth in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play Saturday at Bulldog Park.

The Beavers dropped a 3-1 decision in game 1 and fell 5-4 in 10 innings in game 2.

"We had ample opportunities but just couldn't cash in today," said MSU head coach Scott Eul. "We had way too many guys left on base and way too many strikeouts. We weren't able to come up with the big hit when we needed it on multiple occasions."

In game 1, MSU and UMD both scored all of their respective runs in the first inning. The Beavers (21-15 overall, 16-12 NSIC) scored a run in the top of the first inning, but gave up three in the bottom to UMD (18-19, 13-12).

Minot State starter Kendal Daniels and the Bulldogs pitchers Marcus Frederickson and Colton Sinning matched zeros from there on out. Daniels suffered the loss despite going the distance, giving up three runs on nine hits with two strikeouts. Frederickson gave up just one run on four hits and Sinning worked a scoreless seventh for the save.

"I think we threw the ball pretty well today," Eul said. "Kendal had a rocky first and settled in and Brock (game 2 starter Brock Breshears) gave us a real solid outing. They kept us in it and gave us a chance."

The Beavers scored their lone run on Sean Alp's first-inning home run, but mustered just four singles around the HR. Grant Farley hit a three-run home run for all of UMD's scoring.

"We are looking for a couple guys to step up other than our usual suspects," said Eul. "Once we get our supporting cast on board we are going to be OK."

In game 2, MSU tied the game at four in the top of the ninth to force extra innings, but allowed the game winner in the bottom of the 10th.

Trevaun Smith forced the extra frame with a single to left centerfield to score Wyatt Schlosser as a pinch hitter. Minot State took one-run leads with three runs in the eighth and with the one in the ninth, but couldn't hold on to either lead.

Alp and Jordan Schulz both drove in runs in the eighth for MSU. Schultz went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Kyle Williamson finished with two hits for the Beavers. Farley again was the big stick for UMD, hitting two home runs and driving in three for the Bulldogs.

Breshears worked 7.1 innings, allowing eight hits and four runs in a no decision. Dylan Roach pitched two innings in relief giving up just the one run in the 10th, but suffered his first loss of the season.

The Beavers will look to rebound against UMD, but have to do so at Central Lakes Community College in Brainerd, Minn., due to forecast inclement weather. The games are still set for 12 and 2:30 p.m.

About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.