MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State played host to the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth Thursday afternoon and the Mavericks defeated UMD in game one, 7-1, but were downed in game two, 3-1.

The Bulldogs opened up scoring in the game one, earning their only run of the contest when Anders Engberg lined a RBI single to right field sending Will Dahlgren home.

The Mavericks knotted things up in the bottom of the first when sophomore pitcher and designated hitter Ben Kincaid grounded out to short allowing junior shortstop Zach Rowles to score.

In the third, Rowles hit a sacrifice fly to center bringing in freshman outfielder Mike Eckhart.

MSU tallied two more in the fourth inning, the first coming from sophomore second baseman Matt Kuchenbecker who doubled to right center field, driving in junior catcher Steven Helget, then junior outfielder Aaron Berner hit a RBI single to left, sending Kuchenbecker sliding into home plate.

The fifth saw senior third baseman Kosuke Hatorri single up the middle, knocking in Rowles.

Berner capped off the games scoring in the sixth when he ripped a two-run homer to left field, his seventh of the season, driving in fellow junior outfielder Danny Miller, making the final, 7-1.

Berner finished the contest two-for-four with a home run and three RBI, while Rowles went three-for-three with two runs and one RBI.

With the win, Kincaid improved his record to 5-2 and his third complete game of the season in nine innings of work. He allowed one run off of three hits, walked two and struck out four.

Game two began with MSU jumping out to an early lead off of a Kincaid double that bounced off the left field wall, sending Hattori in to score.

The Bulldogs tied it up in the top of the third when Matt Uher doubled to left center bringing in Brent Jorgenson. UMD then took the lead when Uher was brought home on a single to the left side by Jake Kluver.

In the top of the sixth, UMD added to their lead with a solo shot to left field by Dahlgren.

With the loss, sophomore righty Blake Schwartz suffered his first loss of the season, now owning a 7-1 record on the year. Schwartz threw six innings, giving up three runs on six hits, walking none and striking out five.

The Mavericks (27-9, 16-4 NSIC) will host the Concordia University Golden Bears next Wednesday, April 21, at MSU Baseball Complex. Game one of the doubleheader is slated for 1:30 p.m.

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To view game one stats, click HERE.
To view game two stats, click HERE.
To view season stats, click HERE.