Mankato, Minn. — Minnesota State was unable to produce any timely hits in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against St. Cloud as the Huskies swept both games defeating the Mavericks 3-0 in game one and 12-2 in game two.
St. Cloud State jumped out to an early lead as they opened the game with a two-run home run by junior outfielder Joey Benke giving the Huskies a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
SCSU would add to their lead in the fifth inning as sophomore outfielder Brian Hansen’s sacrifice fly brought in sophomore outfielder Phil Imholte who singled earlier in the inning before stealing both second and third base.
The Mavericks would threaten the Huskies lead in the sixth inning as they began the inning with back-to-back singles by junior infielders Matt Kuchenbecker and Pat Dockendorf. However, the Mavericks were unable to produce any runs as starting pitcher Nick Anderson retired the next three batters in order leaving MSU trailing by three.
Anderson would earn his first win of the year as he pitched a complete game allowing no runs on five hits while recording seven strikeouts.
Junior right-handed starter Ben Kincaid fell to 1-1 on the year after allowing three runs on six hits in a complete game effort.
Five different Mavericks recorded a hit in the 3-0 game one loss. One of them came off Kuchenbecker’s bat which extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
The Huskies got out to a quick start to begin game two as they plated three first inning runs courtesy of an RBI double by sophomore infielder Jordan Smith prior to a two-run home run by senior infielder Jeff Heuer giving SCSU an early 3-0 lead.
The Mavericks responded in the bottom of the first inning with their first run of the afternoon as senior infielder Zach Rowles scored on a sacrifice fly by junior infielder Matt Kuchenbecker cutting the lead to 3-1.
St. Cloud State would increase their lead in the third inning as they took a 4-1 lead on an RBI single by Heuer.
Minnesota State would cut one run off their deficit in the fourth inning as junior infielder Jeremy Sudbeck hit a solo home run, his first of the season, leaving the Mavericks trailing, 4-2.
The Mavericks loaded up the bases in the seventh inning, but SCSU relief pitcher Chris Kubitz was able to work his way out of the jam, getting Kuchenbecker to pop out, ending his hitting streak at 12.
St. Cloud State gained all the momentum after getting out of the bases loaded jam breaking the game open in the eighth inning as they put a seven-spot on the board highlighted by a two-run home run by sophomore infielder Jordan Smith.
The Huskies would add one more run in the ninth inning to give them a 12-2 lead where the score would remain.
Minnesota State starting pitcher senior Luke Putz was charged with the loss as he pitched 5.0 innings allowing four runs on five hits while recording two strikeouts.
St. Cloud State starting pitcher Kyle Fischer earned the win for the Huskies as he improves to a perfect 5-0 on the season. Fischer allowed one earned run on five hits while recording four strikeouts.
Leading the Mavericks with two hits apiece in game two was Dockendorf and Sudbeck who each went 2-for-4.
Minnesota State (12-8, 5-3 NSIC) will resume conference play next Wednesday when they travel to St. Paul, Minn. to take on the Concordia University Golden Bears for a doubleheader that’s scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.
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Junior Matt Kuchenbecker
