WINONA, Minn. -- A career-best performance on the mound by left-handed Ricky Apodaca changed the day's momentum for Minot State.
Apodaca struck out 12 Winona State batters, matching his all-time collegiate career high, and scattered just two hits in eight scoreless innings on the mound in the nightcap of an NSIC doubleheader as the Beavers topped host Winona State 7-1 in the day's finale.
The Warriors took the opener in comeback fasion, erasing a two-run Minot State lead and grabbing a 4-3 victory in the opener over the Beavers.
GAME 1 | Winona State 4, Minot State 3
WINONA, Minn. -- Winona State's three-run sixth proved to be the difference in the ballgame as the Minot State Beavers lost a heartbreaker to the Warriors by the score of 4-3 on Sunday.
Senior Jordan Chappell (2-3) got the ball to start for Minot State (9-13 overall, 3-4 NSIC) and took the loss.
At the plate, the Beavers were led by freshman Kellen Peat, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a walk and two RBIs. Senior Blake Gallagher put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a double. Junior Kaiden Cardoso also helped out for Minot State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the fourth inning. Minot State got on the board thanks to Cardoso's RBI double with one out.
The Warriors then tied the ballgame at one before the Beavers came back to reclaim their advantage in the sixth inning. Minot State picked up two runs when a single from Peat brought home Cardoso and sophomore Mark Ossanna, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Beavers. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Winona State scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to grab the 4-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Minot State went 2-for-5 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 24 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and two fly balls while striking out seven.
» Peat led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs.
» Winona State was led offensively by junior Dane Weiland, who went 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
» Senior Justin Firpo led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing one shutout inning.
GAME 2 | Minot State 7, Winona State 1
WINONA, Minn. -- Junior Ricky Apodaca dominated on Sunday, punching out 12 Winona State hitters over eight innings of work to help power the Minot State Beavers over the Warriors 7-1.
In addition to his 12 strikeouts, Apodaca (2-2) threw eight shutout innings while giving up two hits and walking four for Minot State.
In the batter's box, the Beavers were paced by senior Drew Behling, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a double, a walk and three RBIs. Freshman Dalin Ludlow compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a triple. Junior Matt Malone also contributed for Minot State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Minot State got an RBI single from sophomore Martin Rodriquez, scoring junior Dillon Buckmeier from second base.
The Beavers then held the Warriors scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Minot State picked up two runs when a single from Malone scored Behling and senior Blake Gallagher, which brought the Beavers lead to 3-0.
Minot State kept Winona State scoreless before expanding their lead to 5-0 the following inning. Senior Declan Buckle's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Beavers.
Minot State held the Warriors scoreless before expanding their lead in the ninth inning. The Beavers pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Behling that brought home Rodriquez and freshman Miles Iverson, bringing the score to 7-0 in favor of Minot State. Winona State put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Beavers still coasted to the 7-1 win.
GAME NOTES
» Apodaca struck out 12 Warriors hitters.
» Every Minot State starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Minot State pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Winona State hitters.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the ninth, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Beavers had control of the rest of the game after jumping ahead of the Warriors 1-0 in the top of the second.
» Apodaca put together eight innings of scoreless ball for the Beavers.
» The Beavers out-hit the Warriors at a 6-4 clip.
» Minot State went 4-for-7 (.571) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 35 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and six fly balls while striking out 13.
» The Beavers drew seven walks from Winona State pitching.
» Behling led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.
» Winona State was led offensively by senior C. Brinkman, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Junior C. Strack led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing five innings of two-run ball.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
