BRANDON, S.D. -- Minnesota Duluth's Tosten Mann spoiled the day for the Minot State baseball team.
Mann provided the bite for the Bulldogs, hitting three home runs to lead Minnesota Duluth past Minot State as the Beavers fell 6-4 in an elimination game at the NSIC Tournament.
Junior Matt Malone led the way for Minot State as he racked up three hits in Saturday's contest. Senior Drew Behling also had a hit in the contest and was named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team.
Senior Noah Myhre (2-4) started and took the loss on the mound for Minot State (28-23 overall). Sophomore Gage Yost was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going two shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out two.
In addition to his three hits, Malone had a home run and an RBI to lead the Beavers. Junior Ricky Apodaca compiled a noteworthy effort as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Freshman Dalin Ludlow also helped out for Minot State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Apodaca put Minot State on the board with a two-out solo home run off freshman Zach Kuseske.
The Bulldogs broke the tie in the fifth inning on Mann's second homer of the game, a two-run shot, and Brodie Paulson added a two-run home run for Minnesota Duluth.
The Beavers got back on the scoreboard as Minot State pushed across a run on Ludlow's two-out RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning, which tightened the Bulldogs lead to 5-2.
Minot State kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard before narrowing the gap to 5-4 in the eighth. Minot State recorded two runs, including one on a solo dinger from Malone. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Minnesota Duluth added one run to their tally on Mann's final home run for a 6-4 final.
GAME NOTES
» Malone led the Beavers, amassing three hits in the ballgame.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Beavers out-hit the Bulldogs at a 9-7 clip.
» Minot State pitchers faced 38 Minnesota Duluth hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 11.
» Malone led the Beavers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Minnesota Duluth was led offensively by senior Tosten Mann, who went 3-for-5 with three home runs and four RBI.
» Kuseske led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing four innings of one-run ball.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
