BRANDON, S.D. -- The Minot State baseball team picked the perfect time for their first win of the season against Saint Cloud State.

The Beavers took a 2-0 lead in the third inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 4-3 victory against the Huskies on Friday in an elimination game at the NSIC Tournament. With the win, Minot State advances to another elimination game on Saturday afternoon against the winner of Friday evening's game between Minnesota Duluth and Winona State.

Junior Dominick Parkhurst (5-1) got the win for Minot State (28-22). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on three hits, allowing two walks and striking out two.

In the batter's box, the Beavers were led by senior Drew Behling, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Senior Declan Buckle put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-4 with two RBI. Junior Kaiden Cardoso also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. Buckle drove in two runs for Minot State with a single that scored Behling and freshman Dalin Ludlow.

The Beavers then held the Huskies scoreless before expanding their lead in the fifth inning. Minot State picked up a run on Behling's leadoff home run off of junior Riley Ahern, which brought the Beavers lead to 3-0. The home run was Behling's second of the tournament and 14th of the season, tying him for third for single-season home runs at Minot State.

Minot State held Saint Cloud State without a run before expanding their lead to 4-0 the following inning. Saint Cloud State put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minot State still held on for the 4-3 win.

GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» Minot State took the lead at 2-0 in the top half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» Parkhurst put together seven innings of two-run ball for the Beavers.
» The Beavers out-hit the Huskies at a 6-5 clip.
» Minot State pitchers limited Saint Cloud State to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 36 Saint Cloud State hitters in the game, allowing 14 ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» Behling led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Saint Cloud State was led offensively by junior Sam Riola, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Riola led the Huskies pitching staff, throwing 3.2 shutout innings.

This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.