Box Score Winter Haven, Fla. --- Tenth-ranked Minnesota State scored in each of the first four innings and junior righthander Tyler Ockuly struck out eight over six scoreless innings as the Mavericks defeated Saint Joseph’s College, 5-1, Sunday afternoon at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.
 
After tallying one run in the top of the first inning, MSU added another in the second when junior Ben Keller singled, moved to second on a walk and eventually scored on sacrifice fly to centerfield by senior Cory Glieden.
 
Keller produced two more runs in the third inning with a two-out double to left-center that plated sophomore infielder Connor McCallum and junior outfielder Scott Lindner to extend the MSU lead to 4-0.
 
A solo homerun to left from sophomore catcher Nolan Johnson the next inning made it a five-run cushion that was more than enough for Ockuly who struck out eight and scattered three hits while walking none in six scoreless innings to move to 1-1 on the year.
 
The Pumas would avoid the shutout in the bottom of the seventh inning when senior Eric Mason scored after a bases-loaded walk.
 
Keller finished two-for-four with a run scored and two RBIs, while Lindner chipped in a one-of-four performance with two runs scored for the Mavericks who improved to 7-2 overall.
 
Minnesota State continues spring break action tomorrow with an 11:00 a.m. ET contest against #17 Grand Valley State.