On Tap: Second-rated Minnesota State has its toughest test so far this season as No. 3 St. Cloud State comes to Mankato on Tuesday for a twinbill at the MSU Baseball Complex. Game one is set to begin at 1:30 p.m.

The Mavericks will follow those two contests up with one, nine-inning, game against Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday at 3 p.m. also to be held at the MSU Baseball Complex

The Purple and Gold are on an eight-game winning streak and own a 13-1 overall record standing 4-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. The start is one of the best in program history, trailing only the 1970 team that rattled off 19 wins to begin the season.

Last Time on the Diamond: Minnesota State opened up NSIC action on March 20-21 when it hosted the University of Mary at the MSU Baseball Complex in Mankato. The Mavericks proved to be too much for the Marauders as they swept the four-game series.

MSU came out to a 4-1 lead in the first game, but U-Mary tied up the score in the fifth inning. The game went into extra innings and senior Max Waletich proved to be the hero with a walk-off single scoring sophomore Eric Peterson in the ninth inning. Freshman Brody Rodning pitched four scoreless innings to pick up his third win of the year. In game two, redshirt freshman Aaron Rozek pitched a complete game allowing just five hits and one earned run in seven innings to pick up the win while the Mavericks offense only produced seven hits. Senior Nolan Johnson and junior Taylor Branstad each had an RBI and that was enough for a 2-1 victory.

In the weekend's third game, the Mavericks used three extra base hits to defeat the Marauder's 6-3.  Waletich went 1-1 with a two run double in the first inning. Freshman Dalton Roach pitched three scoreless innings to pick up his first career win. MSU's offense exploded for ten runs in the final game led by senior Kevin Kramer who went 2-5 with two RBI and three runs including a two-run home run. Peterson and Johnson each added two RBI as well while redshirt freshman Josh Crosby had a team-high three RBI in the 10-7 win.

Looking at the Huskies: St. Cloud State strung together 23 straight wins to begin the season before dropping its last contest against Augustana. They Huskies own a 23-1 overall record and are 7-1 in league play.

SCSU has eight batters boasting a batting average of .314 or better and two batters batting over .400. Senior Michael Jurgella (C, 6-1, 195, Plover, Wis.) is hitting .451 with 10 doubles, three home runs, 19 RBI and 26 runs scored. Junior Kyle Lieser (IF, 6-0, 190, St. Martin, Minn.) is hitting .404 with 3 doubles, 13 RBI and eight runs scored.

On the hill the Huskies have seven pitchers with an ERA below three led by freshman Sheldon Miks (P, 6-4, 210, Shakopee, Minn.) who stands 4-0 with an ERA of 1.11 in seven games. Junior Reese Gregory (P, 6-0, 195, St. Cloud, Minn.) is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 26 strikeouts.

Inside the MSU vs. SCSU Series: The Mavericks and Huskies have met 144 times with MSU holding a 91-53 advantage in the series.

Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus Adolphus owns a 4-8 record this season and play in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Gusties are led at the plate by senior Max Fidler (If, 5-11, 160, Lino Lakes, Minn.). Fidler is batting .406 with a pair of doubles and triples and six RBI. Senior Garret Fuchs is hitting .405 with a team-leading 10 RBI.

On the bump senior Grant Soderberg (P, 6-3, 190, Eden Prairie, Minn.) has a team-low 2.08 ERA in 13 innings pitched with nine strikeouts. Sophomore Connor Kern (P, 6-2, 200, Hutchinson, Minn.) is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 10.2 innings.

Inside the MSU vs. GAC Series: The Mavericks and Gusties have met 55 times in their history with MSU owning 40-15 edge.

Minnesota State History: The 2015 season marks the 75th for Maverick baseball. MSU owns a 1,635-827-7 (.664) all-time record in 2,469 total games. Minnesota State has five Northern Intercollegiate Conference titles (1968, 1969, 1979, 1980, 1981), 19 North Central Conference championships (1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2007) and four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference crowns (2010, 2011, 2012,2014). The program has 33 appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and eight in the NCAA Division II World Series (1971, 1979, 1980, 1986, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) including third-place finishes in 2012 and 2014 and a national runner-up performance in 2013.

Additionally, nine Mavericks have been selected All-Americans.

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