MINOT, N.D. – Minot State baseball took the first two games of a weekend series against the Golden Eagles of Minnesota Crookston. UMC came into the weekend three spots ahead of the Beavers in the NSIC standings.
 
Minot State's two wins could be key for the Beavers' chances of hosting a series in the first-round of the NSIC tournament.
 
Game 1
Junior Noah Myhre was dealing for Minot State on Friday, surrendering just one run in a 4-1 win against Minnesota-Crookston.
 
The quality outing from Myhre (3-1) earned him the victory on the mound for Minot State. The right-hander went all seven innings, giving up one run on four hits, allowing no walks and striking out three.
 
In the batter's box, the Beavers were led by junior Drew Behling, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a home run and three RBIs. Sophomore Tyler Wiltshire put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Outfielder Jake Collins also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 1-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Minot State got on the board thanks to Behling's RBI double with one out.
 
The game remained tied until the very next inning, when the Beavers got going again on offense. Minot State scored three times, with an output that included home runs from both Wiltshire and Behling, which brought the Beavers lead to 4-1. The score remained 4-1 for the rest of the game, as Minot State held on for the win.
 
GAME FACTS
» The Beavers power output was led by Behling, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Myhre put together seven innings of one-run ball for the Beavers.
» The Beavers out-hit the Golden Eagles at an 8-4 clip.
» Minot State pitchers limited Minnesota-Crookston to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 25 Minnesota-Crookston hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» Behling led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
» Minnesota-Crookston was led offensively by freshman Scott Finberg, who went 2-for-3.
» Freshman Jayden Grover led the Golden Eagles pitching staff, throwing one shutout inning.
 
 
Game 2
Junior RJ Martinez shoved in the second game on Friday, hurling a one-hit shutout to lead Minot State past Minnesota-Crookston 19-0.
 
Martinez (4-2) went the distance for Minot State, giving up one hit, walking one and striking out nine.
 
Offensively, the Beavers were led by junior Jordan Williams, who went 4-for-5 in the game with three doubles and five RBIs. Sophomore Kaiden Cardoso furnished a standout performance as well, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk and four RBIs. Freshman Martin Rodriquez also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding a home run and 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 got on the board thanks to junior Drew Behling's RBI double.
 
The Beavers then tacked on runs in the third, fourth, and sixth innings, with their biggest output coming in the sixth when they scored 12 times.  That 12-run inning included two Minot State home runs.
 
GAME FACTS
» Williams and Cardoso drove in at least four runs for Minot State.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed 12 runs across.
» Minot State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Martinez put together seven innings of shutout ball for the Beavers.
» Six MSU players had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Minot State hitters crushed three dingers in the ballgame.
» The Beavers had a total of 18 hits.
» The Beavers out-hit the Golden Eagles at an 18-1 clip.
» Minot State went 9-for-17 (.529) with runners in scoring position.
» The Beavers got three hits in five at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Minot State pitchers faced 23 Minnesota-Crookston hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and four fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Beavers drew five walks from Minnesota-Crookston pitching.
» Williams led the Beavers at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three doubles and five RBIs.
» Minnesota-Crookston was led offensively by freshman Landyn Swenson, who went 1-for-3.
 
 
Minot State and Minnesota Crookston will finish their series, and the regular season schedule, tomorrow, Saturday, May 8, at noon.