ELKHORN, Neb. – After battling the winter weather just to get on the field, the Minot State baseball team battled its way to a split with Augustana on Thursday in NSIC action.
The Vikings (15-10 overall, 4-1 NSIC), host for the neutral-site game, scored a 4-3 comeback win to start the doubleheader, but the Beavers (13-4, 4-1) bounced back strong and won the nightcap 9-5.
Minot State continues on the road this weekend, playing Minnesota State, Mankato on Sunday in Elkhorn, Nebraska, in a doubleheader scheduled to start at noon. The games will be home games for the Beavers, who also play the Mavericks at noon Monday in a single game, which also will be a home contest for Minot State.
GAME 1 | Augustana 4, Minot State 3
ELKHORN, Neb. -- Despite picking up eight hits in the ballgame and out-hitting Augustana, Minot State was unable to push across more runs, as the Beavers lost to the Vikings 4-3 in Thursday's first game.
Junior Craig Schmich (2-1) started and took the loss on the mound for Minot State.
Senior Derek Kay led the way offensively for the Beavers, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a triple and two RBI. Junior Brent Riddle put together a standout effort as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Junior Martin Rodriquez also helped out, going 2-for-3 for Minot State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. Riddle put Minot State on the board with a two-out solo home run off senior Caleb Kranz.
The Vikings then rallied to score two runs and take a 2-1 lead before the Beavers got back on the board in the fifth. Minot State picked up a couple on a two-run triple from Kay, which brought the Beavers lead to 3-2. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Augustana scored two times over the remaining two innings to grab the 4-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Beavers out-hit the Vikings at an 8-7 clip.
» Minot State pitchers faced 25 Augustana hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and six fly balls while striking out seven.
» Kay led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI.
» Augustana was led offensively by junior Nick Banowetz, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Sophomore Adam Diedrich led the Vikings pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.
GAME 2 | Minot State 9, Augustana 5
ELKHORN, Neb. --Junior Mark Ossanna collected four hits to help power the Minot State Beavers over the Augustana Vikings 9-5 on Thursday in the nightcap of an NSIC doubleheader.
Senior Garrett Nicholson (1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minot State. The southpaw went 0.1 shutout innings without giving up a hit, allowing one walk and striking out one. Junior Austin Loeb also made an impact on the mound for the Beavers, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing no hits, with one walk and one strikeout.
In addition to his four hits, Ossanna had a double, a walk and an RBI to lead the Beavers. Senior Carter Paine compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Senior Derek Kay also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in five trips to the plate while adding a triple and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 1-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Minot State scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run homer from Paine.
The Beavers then held the Vikings scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Junior Gunnar Kozlowitz came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State, which brought the Beavers lead to 4-1.
Augustana narrowed Minot State's lead to 4-3 before the Beavers stretched the advantage to 6-3 in the fifth inning. The Beavers scored twice, with one run coming across on junior Shane Kary's single.
The Vikings fought back, closing the gap to 6-5 until Minot State added some insurance in the eighth. The Beavers pushed across two runs in the frame, punctuated with an RBI triple off the bat of Kay, bringing the score to 8-5 in favor of Minot State.
The Beavers kept Augustana off the board before expanding their lead to 9-5 the following inning. Senior Matt Malone came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State and get them on the board. The score remained 9-5 for the rest of the game, as the Beavers coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Ossanna collected four hits on the day for Minot State.
» Every Minot State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Beavers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Vikings 3-1 in the top of the second.
» The Beavers out-hit the Vikings at a 13-7 clip.
» Malone stole two bases in Thursday's game.
» Minot State went 5-for-12 (.417) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers limited Augustana to just 2-for-10 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 43 Augustana hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out 10.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Augustana pitching.
» Ossanna led the Beavers at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Augustana was led offensively by junior Drey Dirksen, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI.
» Freshman Jason Fink led the Vikings pitching staff, throwing three innings of one-run ball.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
