MINOT, ND - The Minot State Beavers baseball team returns home for a NSIC midweek matchup as they host Northern State University in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 23, at Corbett Field in Minot, North Dakota. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., with game two set to begin shortly after the conclusion of the opener.
The Beavers (15-24 overall, 9-21 NSIC) enter the midweek series following a road trip to Duluth, Minnesota, where they faced off against the University of Minnesota Duluth in a four-game NSIC series. Northern State (10-27 overall, 6-24 NSIC) comes into the series following a 3-game NSIC weekend series on the road in Bemidji, Minnesota against Bemidji State. Historically, the two programs have battled closely, with Minot State holding a 19-16 record against Northern State. The two teams matched-up against one another earlier this season in a non-conference game in Tucson, Arizona, where the Beavers defeated the Wolves 11-0 on March 12, 2025.
At the plate, Minot State continues to be fueled by offensive leaders
Brent Riddle (.333 AVG),
Michael Williamson (.331 AVG), and
Connor Hill (.330 AVG), who have provided steady production throughout the year. As a team, the Beavers have posted a batting average of .298 and an OPS of .821, with 37 home runs on the season.
Northern State counters with a lineup led by Brennan Phillips (.336 AVG, Dillon Castellanos (.317 AVG), and Nick Friedges (.305 AVG), who have been key contributors for the Wolves. The team enters the doubleheader with a batting average of .266 and an OPS of .764, along with 29 home runs.
On the mound, the Beavers will turn to a pitching staff anchored by
Connor Hill (4.74 ERA),
Noah Balandran (4.24 ERA), and
Conner Meldrim (7.67 ERA), with
Ayden Sauerbrei leading the bullpen in saves with 4. As a staff, Minot State pitchers have compiled a team ERA of 8.38 while opponents are hitting .334 against them.
Northern State's pitching staff is led by Carson Zimmel (7.11 ERA), Braxton Kusler (6.17 ERA), and Hunter Brown (6.26 ERA), with Daulton Vanderloo leading the bullpen with 2 saves. The Wolves carry a team ERA of 9.00, with opponents batting .322 against them.
Following Wednesday's home doubleheader against Northern State, Minot State will hit the road once again for a 3-game weekend NSIC series against St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Game's one and two are scheduled for Saturday, April 26 with game one starting at 1:30 pm and game two starting shortly after the conclusion of game one. Game three is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, at 12:00 pm.
