Mankato, Minn. — Minnesota State opened Friday’s doubleheader with a, 7-6, win over #8 St. Cloud State, then dropped game two, 10-4.

The Mavericks jumped out two a three-run lead in the first inning when junior outfielder Ben Kincaid and junior infielder Matt Kuchenbecker each hit RBI doubles, followed up by a RBI single from senior catcher Steven Helget.

St. Cloud State took a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the third, but Helget hit a sacrifice fly to center field in the bottom of the inning, followed by senior infielder Zach Rowles scoring on wild pitch and Kuchenbecker hitting a two-run double in the fourth, giving MSU the 7-5 lead.

SCSU added one in the seventh, making the final, 7-6, in favor of the Mavericks.

Kuchenbecker led MSU at the plate in game one, going 3-for-3, with two doubles and three RBI.

Senior left-hander Danny Miller improved his record to 4-1 on the season, going six innings, while giving up five runs (one earned), off of seven hits, walking two and fanning six.

In game two St. Cloud State struck first as they took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double by third baseman Jordan Smith.

The Huskies would go on to increase their lead to 5-0 in the following inning as outfielder Brian Hansen, infielder Travis Cariveau and Smith each added RBI singles.

Minnesota State would score its first run in the second inning as Kuchenbecker’s sacrifice fly brought in junior infielder Pat Dockendorf leaving the Mavericks trailing, 5-1.

However, the Huskies would get their run back in the following inning as Cariveau added another RBI on a double scoring outfielder Phil Imholte.

Minnesota State would cut the lead to two in the bottom of the fourth inning courtesy of a two-run home run by Dockendorf before Kuchenbecker’s RBI single scored Helget who doubled earlier in the inning.

St. Cloud State would respond in the sixth inning with three runs of their own, highlighted by a two-run single by outfielder Joey Benke, giving the Huskies a 9-4 lead.  St. Cloud State would add another run in the seventh inning and the last run in the ninth, making the final, 11-4.

Kuchenbecker again led MSU’s bats, going 2-for-3, including two RBI.

Junior righty Blake Schwartz suffered his first loss of the season, going five innings, giving up six runs (five earned), off of 10 hits, walking two and striking out two.

The Mavericks (12-6 overall, 5-1 NSIC) and the Huskies (13-3 overall, 1-1 NSIC) will finish their four game series with a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m.

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