After splitting a high-scoring doubleheader with Winona State on Friday, the Minot State Beavers (4-5) return to the diamond tomorrow morning looking to secure the series when they face the Warriors again at 10 a.m
GAME 1 | Minot State 9, Winona State 6
KANSAS CITY, Kan. --The Minot State Beavers took a 6-4 lead in the second inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 9-6 victory over the Winona State Warriors on Friday.
Junior Ayden Sauerbrei (2-0) started on the mound and picked up the win for Minot State. The right-hander went five innings, giving up six runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, allowing one walk and striking out six. Senior Conner Meldrim also made an impact on the mound for the Beavers, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing no hits.
At the plate, the Beavers were led by junior Nate Hutchison, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a home run and two RBIs. Sophomore Wyatt Toth compiled a standout effort as well, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBIs. Senior Noah Madas also contributed for Minot State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Minot State pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from junior Cowen Meyer.
The Beavers lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the second trailing 4-2. The Minot State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Madas and a two-run home run from Hutchison, which brought the score to 6-4 in favor of the Beavers.
Winona State narrowed Minot State's lead to 6-5 before the Beavers stretched the advantage to 9-5 in the sixth inning. The Beavers picked up three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-RBI double from Toth. Winona State put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minot State still held on for the 9-6 win.
GAME NOTES
» Sauerbrei struck out six Warriors hitters.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Beavers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Warriors 6-5 in the top of the second.
» The Beavers out-hit the Warriors at a 10-8 clip.
» Minot State pitchers faced 32 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out six.
» Hutchison led the Beavers at the plate, going 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.
» Winona State was led offensively by sophomore Adam Wall, who went 1 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs.
» Junior Sawyer Hoffman led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing five innings of three-run ball.
GAME 2 | Winona State 8, Minot State 7
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Four Minot State pitchers totaled 14 strikeouts, but the Beavers fell to the Winona State Warriors 8-7 Friday.
Freshman Thomas Mitchell (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Minot State. Freshman Tanner Groseclose was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 3.1 innings, surrendering two runs, one earned, on four hits, walking two and striking out six.
In the batter's box, the Beavers were led by sophomore Wyatt Toth, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a double, a home run and two RBIs. Junior Colton Bagshaw put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Junior Cowen Meyer also chipped in for Minot State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a home run, two walks and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 4-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Bagshaw put Minot State on the board with a leadoff home run off sophomore Nathan Vela.
The Beavers deficit expanded to 5-1 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the fourth inning. Minot State brought home a pair, with one run driven in by junior Nate Hutchison's single, which tightened the Warriors lead to 5-3.
Minot State kept the Warriors off the board before rallying to grab a 7-5 lead in the fifth. The Beavers hit two home runs in the inning on the way to scoring four runs. The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Winona State scored three times over the remaining four innings to grab the 8-7 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's power output was led by Toth, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Beavers pitchers combined to strike out 14 Winona State hitters.
» Minot State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Beavers took Winona State pitchers deep three times on Friday.
» Minot State left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Beavers out-hit the Warriors at a 9-8 clip.
» Minot State pitchers faced 41 Winona State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and two fly balls while striking out 14.
» The Beavers drew 10 walks from Winona State pitching.
» Toth led the Beavers at the plate, going 2 for 5 with a double, a home run and two RBIs.
» Winona State was led offensively by sophomore Dylan Harer, who went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs.
» Sophomore Wesley Johnson led the Warriors pitching staff, throwing 4.1 shutout innings.
