(ST. JOSEPH, MO.) – The Minot State baseball team took the first two games of their four-game series versus Missouri Western. The Beavers benefitted from late-game heroics in the first contest and a stellar pitching performance in the second to win 8-5 and 10-0, respectively.
 
The Beavers will finish their set with the Griffons tomorrow with two more games.
 
GAME 1 | Minot State 8, Missouri Western State 5
 
Minot State needed nine innings to get the job done, but secured the 8-5 extra-innings victory over Missouri Western State Friday.
 
Junior Blake Gallagher (1-0) came on in relief and picked up the win for Minot State (4-3). The right-hander went three innings, giving up one run on one hit, allowing three walks and striking out two.
 
Sophomore Jackson Pokorney led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with two doubles and four RBIs. Gallagher furnished a standout offensive effort as well, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Senior Trevaun Smith also contributed, going 2-for-4 for Minot State with a walk and an RBI.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. Minot State pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from Pokorney.
 
The Beavers lost the lead they built in the third, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 3-2. Minot State pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Pokorney that scored junior Declan Buckle and senior Ryley Humrighouse, which brought the score to 4-3 in favor of the Beavers.
 
Missouri Western State clawed back to even the ballgame at four before Minot State re-claimed an 8-4 advantage in a very profitable ninth inning. The Beavers bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Gallagher.  Missouri Western State put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minot State still held on for the 8-5 win.
 
GAME FACTS
» Gallagher picked up three base hits in the game for Minot State.
» The Beavers power output was led by Pokorney, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Pokorney drove in four runs for Minot State.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the ninth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Four Beavers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Beavers out-hit the Griffons at a 10-8 clip.
» Junior Drew Behling stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Minot State pitchers faced 42 Missouri Western State hitters in the game, allowing 15 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out five.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Missouri Western State pitching.
» Pokorney led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs.
» Missouri Western State was led offensively by junior Colby Tam, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.
» Freshman Brian Tan led the Griffons pitching staff, throwing two shutout innings.
 
GAME 2 | Minot State 10, Missouri Western State 0
 
Junior Noah Myhre turned in a stellar performance on Friday, tossing a no-hitter and striking out seven to lead Minot State over Missouri Western State 10-0.
 
Myhre (1-1) added his first win of the season to his outstanding performance. The right-hander struck out seven and walked two for Minot State (5-3) on his way to the record books.
 
Freshman Gunnar Kozlowitz led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a double and four RBIs. Sophomore Jake Collins put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with three RBIs. Junior Declan Buckle also helped out, going 1-for-3 for Minot State with two RBIs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Minot State's offense started clicking and put up five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Collins and a two-run single from Kozlowitz.
 
The Beavers also added runs in four more innings on the way to the 10-0 victory.
 
GAME FACTS
» Myhre tossed a no-hit shutout for the Beavers.
» Senior Trevaun Smith picked up three base hits in the game for Minot State.
» Myhre struck out seven Griffons hitters.
» Kozlowitz drove in four runs for Minot State.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed five runs across.
» Minot State took a 5-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Myhre put together seven innings of shutout ball for the Beavers.
» The Beavers out-hit the Griffons at a 10-0 clip.
» Minot State pitchers faced 24 Missouri Western State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and five fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Missouri Western State pitching.
» Kozlowitz led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs.
» Sophomore Talbott Buford led the Griffons pitching staff, throwing 2.1 innings of two-run ball.