Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – Despite scoring a run with two outs in the ninth inning, top-seeded Minnesota State came up one-run short Friday afternoon at Franklin Rogers Park as the second-seeded St. Cloud State Huskies handed the Mavericks their first loss of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament.
 
St. Cloud State opened the game with two runs in the first inning as Mavericks’ starting pitcher senior Ben Kincaid allowed two bases-loaded walks with two outs as the Huskies jumped ahead early.
 
Following a scoreless second inning, MSU found the scoreboard for the first time of the afternoon in the third inning as senior Matt Kuchenbecker roped a single to center field which plated freshman Connor McCallum who slid under the tag of St. Cloud State catcher Michael Jurgella.
 
Despite getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, Kincaid allowed a solo home run to Sean Borman the following inning as St. Cloud State extended its lead to 3-1 through five innings.
 
The score would remain 3-1 until the bottom of the ninth inning as Minnesota State put runners on first and second before pinch hitter junior Jon Flattery hit an RBI single with two outs which scored junior Mike Eckhart cutting the lead to one run.
 
However, St. Cloud State would hang onto the 3-2 lead and ensure its 20^th consecutive win as Kyle Fischer got junior Lucas Skjefte to ground into a fielder’s choice which ended the game and gave Fischer his third save of the season.
 
Scott Lieser earned the win for the Huskies after allowing one earned run on six hits in seven innings of work.
 
Kincaid was credited with the loss after allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out seven batters in six innings of work.  Relief pitcher TJ Larson threw three scoreless innings in relief of Kincaid while allowing just two hits and striking out four batters.
 
McCallum led MSU at the plate going a perfect 4-for-4 with a run scored as the Mavericks combined to record eight hits compared to nine by St. Cloud State.
 
Minnesota State (41-10) faces the winner of Augustana and Winona State who play at 3:30 p.m., where the winner will advance to the championship round tomorrow against St. Cloud State.  The team that plays SCSU will have to beat them twice to take the championship in the double-elimination tournament.