Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 8 Mavericks split their doubleheader against Augustana Tuesday afternoon as Minnesota State fell 2-0 in game one before earning a 3-1 game-two victory.
 
A home run by Augustana’s Brian Voigt was the difference in game one as his two-run blast in the final inning were the only runs of the game as senior Ben Kincaid picked up his first loss of the season.
 
Kincaid, who is now 4-1 on the season, had a great outing despite allowing the home run as he struck out seven batters and allowed five hits in six innings pitched.
 
Junior Lucas Skjefte and senior Matt Kuchenbecker recorded the only hits for the Mavericks as Skjefte went 2-for-4 while Kuchenbecker finished 2-for-3 at the plate.
 
MSU saw its greatest chance to produce a run in the sixth inning as the Mavericks loaded the bases with no outs but two straight runners were thrown out at home on fielder’s choice outs before the final out of the inning was also recorded by a fielder’s choice leaving the Mavericks with no runs.
 
Augie would strike first in game two as the Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning courtesy of an RBI double by Jack Goihl.
 
However, Minnesota State was able to salvage game two as it scored three runs in the eighth inning as Kuchenbecker connected on a two-run home run before senior Matt Odegaard drove in the Mavericks third run with a single to left field.
 
The Mavericks were able to hold on to the 3-1 lead as junior right-handed pitcher Nick Sutherland earned his third win of the season after allowing no runs on just one hit in four innings of relief work.
 
Skjefte and Kuchenbecker once again led MSU offensively as Skjefte went 2-for-5 with a run scored while Kuchenbecker went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored.
 
With the split, Minnesota State is now 25-7 overall and 13-3 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference while Augustana moves to 21-12 overall and 16-6 in league action.
 
The Mavericks return home for their next games as MSU will host Bemidji State in a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.  Action is slated to begin at noon on both days.