Box Score WINTER HAVEN, Fla. --- Second-ranked Minnesota State picked up its fifth consecutive win Thursday morning with a 2-0 victory over Findlay behind strong senior performances at Chain of Lakes Stadium in the Mavericks' first contest at the Russ Matt Invitational.
 
The win elevates MSU to 6-1 overall, while UF drops to 2-4 on the year.
 
Minnesota State threatened early against Oiler senior Drew Hargrove placing runners at second and third with no outs in the bottom of the second inning. Hargrove responded by fanning three straight MSU batters to quell the threat.
 
Findlay had a threat of its own in the top of the fourth putting Oilers at second and third with two down, but senior Bryce Bellin (Kimberly, Wis.) shut the door with a strikeout of his own. Despite earning a no decision, Bellin (0-0) was pin point for the Mavericks scattering six hits and one walk across seven shutout innings with four strikeouts in his second start of the spring.
 
The Mavericks and senior Mike Andries (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) pushed across the game's first runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. With senior Stetson Olson (Renton, Wash.) and sophomore Taylor Branstad (Apple Valley, Minn.) on first and second, Andries clubbed a two-out double to deep left centerfield scoring both runners and ending Hargrove's morning.
 
Senior Chris Williams (Omaha, Neb.) struck out the side in the top of the ninth securing the 2-0 win with his second save of the season. Senior Taylor Nawrocki (Fairmont, Minn.) improved to 2-0 after tossing a scoreless eighth frame, while UF's Hargrove (0-1) fanned six against seven hits, two walks and two earned runs in 7.2 innings on the hill.
 
Senior Todd Standish (Brookings, S.D.) went two-for-two in the contest as the Mavericks swiped four bases in the affair.
 
Minnesota State continues its spring trip tomorrow with its lone doubleheader at the Russ Matt Invitational where the Mavericks will battle Saginaw Valley State twice beginning at 9:00 a.m. EST.