MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State baseball team is set to begin NSIC play this weekend in Minnesota. The Beavers face the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20. Minot State will play back-to-back games on Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m., followed by the closing series game Sunday at noon.
Minot State faced tough competition in previous road games against Lindenwood and Purdue Northwest. The Beavers look to bounce back this weekend against the Mavericks. Minot State enters NSIC play with a 6-9 record overall.
Scouting the Mavericks
The Beavers begin conference play in Minnesota, facing the 7-2 Mavericks, who are on a five-game winning streak. Minnesota State secured victories over Northwood, D'Youville, USciences, Notre Dame College, and Seton Hill during this winning streak.
Nick Altermatt leads the Mavericks this season with a .400 average, scoring eight runs with 13 RBIs. Sophomore, Jackson Hauge, has helped out as well with a .394 average while tacking on 14 RBIs. Brendan Knoll has been a pitching stronghold for the Mavericks after an 8-1 record in 13 appearances last season. Knoll has pitched 14 innings and has an ERA of 1.93 in the 2022 season.
Prominent Pitching
Senior, RJ Martinez, leads the Beavers in 2022 with a record of 2-0 in 17 innings pitched. Martinez enters the weekend with an ERA of 1.06 while giving up only 10 hits and two earned runs. Left-handed pitcher, Jordan Chappell, begins NSIC play with a 2-1 record while striking out 27 batters. Ricky Apodaca follows closely behind Chappell with 25 strikeouts this season.
Bashing Beavers
The offense this season has been led by multiple stellar Beavers. Senior, Drew Behling, has been on a hot streak for Minot State with 10 RBIs in the last five games. Behling has also added 5 home runs and 20 hits so far this year. Kaiden Cardoso leads the Beavers with a .357 batting average while adding 15 RBIs and 11 runs.
Next Time Out
Following this series, Minot State returns to action Wednesday, March 23 at the University of Sioux Falls. The Beavers will face the Cougars in a doubleheader beginning at noon.
