ROLLA, MO -- Junior RJ Martinez was mowing people down on Saturday, fanning nine Missouri S&T hitters over 6.1 innings of work to help lead Minot State over the Miners 9-6.

In addition to his nine strikeouts, Martinez (1-0) tossed 6.1 innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on six hits and walking three for Minot State (1-0).
 
Junior Declan Buckle led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-2 in the ballgame with two walks. Junior Matt Kruszka put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Junior Drew Behling also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Minot State.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers got the scoring started early, first putting runs on the board in the first inning with the game still scoreless. Minot State managed to push across two runs in the inning.
 
The Beavers then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the second inning after the Miners cut it to 2-1. Buckle came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State, which brought the Beavers lead to 3-1.
 
Minot State held Missouri S&T without a run before expanding their lead to 7-1 the following inning.   The Beavers bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a one-run walk off the bat of freshman Kellen Peat.
 
Minot State kept the Miners scoreless before building on their lead in the fifth inning. Senior Ryley Humrighouse crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Beavers, bringing the score to 8-1 in favor of Minot State.
 
The Beavers held Missouri S&T off the board before building on their lead to 9-1 the following inning. Kruszka came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State and get them on the board.  Missouri S&T put five runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Beavers still held on for the 9-6 win.
 
GAME FACTS
» Martinez struck out nine Miners hitters.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» Minot State grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top half of the first and did not surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Beavers out-hit the Miners at a 9-6 clip.
» Both senior Trevaun Smith and sophomore Jackson Pokorney stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» The Beavers stole six bases as a team.
» Minot State pitchers faced 33 Missouri S&T hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and six fly balls while striking out 10.
» The Beavers drew five walks from Missouri S&T pitching.
» Buckle led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-2.