Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State, rated ninth in the nation, extended its winning streak to 23 games after sweeping the Warriors of Winona State in Mankato Tuesday, taking game one 3-2 and the second contest, 5-1.
Minnesota State got out to an early 1-0 lead after the first inning as junior infielder Matt Kuchenbecker scored on Pat Dockendorf’s RBI single.
It wouldn’t take the Warriors long to respond as they tied the game in the following inning as senior outfielder Joe Kley scored on junior infielder Adam Gemuenden RBI double.
Winona State would take their first lead of the contest in the fifth inning as Kley drew a bases loaded walk scoring sophomore infielder Derek Wojcik giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead.
Minnesota State would tie the game in the bottom of the fifth as senior catcher Steven Helget scored on a passed ball by Warriors catcher Jamie Soyk.
Neither team would score in the games final two innings forcing the game into extras.
However, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Minnesota State would seal the 3-2 victory as pinch-runner sophomore Kyle Svoboda scored the game-winning run on senior outfielder Danny Miller’s RBI single to center field.
Minnesota State’s Mahlon Zimmermann was credited with the win as he allowed no runs or hits in 1.1 innings pitched. Starting pitcher Danny Miller did not factor into the decision after allowing two runs on six hits while picking up five strikeouts in six innings pitched.
Offensively, the Mavericks were led by Jeremy Sudbeck and Ben Kincaid who each recorded two hits.
Picking up his second loss of the season was Winona State starting pitcher Kodey Simon who allowed one earned run on eight hits while recording five strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched for the Warriors.
In game two, the Mavericks stuck first as Miller scored on Helget’s single giving Minnesota State the 1-0 lead after two innings.
The Mavericks would add to their lead in the following inning as Kuchenbecker’s single scored senior infielder Zach Rowles before Helget’s bases loaded walk scored Kuchenbecker giving the Mavericks a 3-0 lead.
Minnesota State added two insurance runs in the sixth inning as Sudbeck connected on a two-run double giving the Mavericks a 5-0 lead.
Winona State scored their only run in the seventh inning as sophomore pinch-hitter Cody Strang hit a solo home run over the right field fence making the score 5-1 where the score would remain.
Minnesota State starting pitcher Luke Putz earned his sixth win of the year after allowing one run on three hits while recording nine strikeouts in a complete game effort.
The Mavericks were led at the plate by Sudbeck who finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. Also recording two RBI for the Mavericks was Helget who finished 1-for-2 at the plate.
Minnesota State (35-8, 27-3 NSIC) will finish regular season play in Bemidji, Minn. Saturday and Sunday as the Mavericks face the Bemidji State Beavers in a pair of NSIC twinbills.
-30-
