Mankato, Minn. – The Mavericks finished their sweep of the Bulldogs in Mankato Saturday by picking up a 9-0 shut-out, followed up by a 17-2 stomping of the UMD.

In the opening contest junior infielder Matt Kuchenbecker put MSU up 2-0 when he hit a two-run shot to right center after senior infielder Zach Rowles had previously walked.

A solo home run to lead off the fourth inning from senior outfielder Danny Miller put the Mavericks up 3-0 after four innings.

Both Kuchenbecker and Miller’s home runs were their firsts of the 2011 season.

MSU would tack on a fourth run in the fifth inning when sophomore Lucas Skjefte reached first after being hit by a pitch, eventually scoring on a throwing earn by the third baseman.

The Mavericks added five more in the sixth inning to put away the Bulldogs

Minnesota Duluth out hit MSU 6-5. Individually, Kuchenbecker led the Mavericks at the plate, going 1-for-2 including two RBI and a homerun.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Bryce Bellin pitched his first-ever start for the Mavericks, improving his record to 2-0 on the season. Bellin went six scoreless innings, giving up five hits, no walks and two strikeouts.

In game two, the Mavericks jumped out to a 15-0 lead after the top of the first inning. The monster inning was highlighted by two-run doubles from junior outfielder Ben Kincaid, Kuchenbecker and Miller, with senior catcher Steven Helget ripping a three-run double.

Kuchenbecker hit a two-out double in the third inning, sending Rowles in to score. The double was Kuchenbeckers second of the game.

UMD would score its only two runs of the day in the third inning of game two, and the Mavericks added a run in the fifth, making the final 17-2 in favor of the Mavericks.

MSU out hit Minnesota Duluth, 18-5 in game two. Kuchenbecker again led MSU with his bat, going 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Freshman righty Jason Hoppe earned his first win of his career, entering the game in the fourth inning, pitching two full innings, while giving up one hit, walking one and striking out one.

Kuchenbecker finished the day batting .500 (4-for-8) including three doubles, five RBI and three runs scored.

With the loss, the Bulldogs drop to 6-14 overall and 2-6 in the NSIC.

The Mavericks (18-8, 11-3 NSIC) will hit the road this coming Tuesday as they travel to Wayne, Neb. for an NSIC double-dip with the Wayne State Wildcats. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

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