AUBURNDALE, Fla. ---  The Mavericks gave up two runs early but a couple strong pitching performances helped fourth-rated Minnesota State defeat Ashland Universtiy, 3-2, on Saturday.

Freshman right-hander Dalton Roach gave up two runs in the first inning but was able to settle in and shut down the Eagles offense in his final two innings on the mound. The Mavericks offense did all their damage in the bottom of the third inning to regain the lead.

Junior Chase Lonetti hit a double to lead off the inning and senior Kevin Kramer hit a sacrifice bunt to advance him to third. Sophomore Eric Peterson walked and a errant pickoff attempt by the Eagles allowed Lonetti to score and Peterson to move up to second.  Junior Kyle Toth tripled plating Peterson and later scored off a sacrifice fly by senior Max Waletich to put the Mavericks up 3-2.

That would be all MSU needed as junior's Peter Gaustad and Dakota Belter combined for six scoreless innings. Gaustad picked up his first win of the season after scattering four hits over four innings and striking out two batters. Belter allowed just one hit and struck out three in the final two innings to pick up his first save.

MSU, which improves its record to 4-0, was led offensively by Toth who went 1-4 with a triple and one RBI. Senior Nolan Johnson went 2-4 with two doubles and has totaled 54  two-baggers for his career surpassing former Maverick Matt Kuchenbecker for most career doubles in program history.

MSU will continue play in Florida tomorrow morning against Ohio Dominican University. The first pitch is slated for 9 a.m. CST.