Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State, ranked 11th nationally, extended their winning streak to a program record 21 games on Senior Day on Sunday, shutting out the Mustangs 5-0 in game on, then ten-running SMSU 14-4 in eight to end game two.
In game one, the Mavericks struck early as junior infielder Jeremy Sudbeck connected on a home run over the left field fence before junior infielder Pat Dockendorf scored as senior outfielder Danny Miller was caught stealing giving the Mavericks an early 2-0 lead.
Minnesota State would add one run in the third inning as senior infielder Zach Rowles scored on a wild pitch making the score 3-0.
The Mavericks would take a 4-0 lead after five innings when Rowles scored on junior infielder Matt Kuchenbecker’s RBI single.
Minnesota State added one insurance run in the sixth inning as junior outfielder Ben Kincaid’s RBI single scored Miller giving the Mavericks a 5-0 lead where the score would remain.
Earning his ninth win of the year was MSU starting pitcher Blake Schwartz who allowed no runs on one hit while picking up three strikeouts in a complete game effort.
Leading the Mavericks at the plate was Rowles and Miller who each recorded two hits. Adding an RBI apiece was Kuchenbecker, Sudbeck and Kincaid.
The win extended the Mavericks winning streak to 20 games which sets a new program record.
In the second contest, it was the Mavericks who found the scoreboard first as Dockendorf advanced home when Miller was caught stealing second base making the score 1-0.
The Mustangs evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the fourth when freshman Jordon Kontz’ RBI single scored senior outfielder Tyler Fayden.
The Mustangs would capture their first lead of the afternoon in the following inning as junior catcher Tyler Brinka scored on senior infielder Cody Curry’s RBI fielder’s choice.
However, the Mavericks would tie the score at 2-2 in the bottom half of the fifth inning as senior outfielder Aaron Berner’s RBI single scored Miller.
The game continued to go back-and-forth as the Mustangs recaptured the lead in the sixth inning as Kontz scored on sophomore infielder Tyler Flattum’s RBI single giving Southwest Minnesota State the 3-2 lead.
However, it was the Mavericks who delivered the next blow as they put up seven runs in the bottom of the sixth giving them a 9-3 lead. The scoring was started as Dockendorf’s single brought in Rowles and Lindner. The Mavericks recorded their third run of the inning as Berner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Sudbeck. Dockendorf would then score the Mavericks fourth run as he advanced home on a balk by Mustangs pitcher Koep. Junior infielder Matt Odegaard would then hit an RBI single scoring Miller giving the Mavericks a 7-3 lead. The Mavericks would record their final two runs of the inning as Lindner hit a two RBI double scoring senior catcher Steven Helget and Berner increasing the lead to 9-3.
The Mustangs would cut the lead to 9-4 in the top of the seventh after Fayden’s RBI triple scored junior infielder Adam Thygesen.
The Mavericks picked up two more runs in the seventh inning courtesy of a two RBI double by Helget giving them a 11-4 advantage.
Minnesota State scored their final three runs in the eighth inning which sealed the 14-4 victory extending the Mavericks current win streak to 21 games. Svoboda hit a single up the middle which scored the Mavericks first run of the inning before Dockendorf’s two RBI double to left field finished off the Mustangs.
Earning the win for the Mavericks was starting pitcher TJ Larson who allowed one earned run on two hits while picking up one strikeout in 1.2 innings pitched.
Leading the way offensively for the Mavericks was Dockendorf who finished 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Also recording multiple hits for the Mavericks was Miller who finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored and Odegaard who finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Minnesota State (33-8, 25-3 NSIC) will host #19 Winona State Tuesday for a pair of NSIC contests with first pitch slated for 1:30 p.m.
