AUBURNDALE, Fla. ---  The Mavericks offense clicked early and freshman Christian Howell had a strong outing on the mound as fourth-rated Minnesota State downed Ohio Dominican University 7-3 Sunday morning.

MSU took advantage of three errors by ODU to take the lead in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Eric Peterson reached on an error and redshirt freshman Dylan Dresel walked to put runners at first and second with no outs. Senior Max Waletich singled to right to score Peterson and then advanced to second on an error by the right fielder. Senior Nolan Johnson came up and hit a infield single to third to score Dresel and advance Waletich to put the Mavericks up 2-0 and junior Chase Lonetti followed up with an RBI single giving MSU a 3-0 lead.

The Panthers scored one of their runs in the bottom of the inning but that was the only run Howell allowed in five innings picking up his first win of the season. Johnson got that run back with one swing of the bat in the top of the third, leading the inning off with his first home run of the season. In the bottom of the sixth ODU chipped away at the lead. A bunt single led to a run scoring double and an error by the Mavericks allowed two runs to score and the scoreboard read 4-3 Mavericks after six innings.

In the top of the eighth, a two out rally put the game out of reach. Junior Kyle Toth singled to center and advanced to second after the center fielder misplayed the ball. Senior Kevin Kramer then singled in Toth and advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Back-to-back singles by senior Connor McCallum and Waletich plated a couple more runs to push MSU's lead to 7-3.

Freshman southpaw Brody Rodning came in and allowed just three hits over the final three innings and added two strikeouts to finish off the Panthers to pick up his first save of the year.

Minnesota State (5-0) will battle Northwood University (4-2) tomorrow afternoon 2:30 p.m. in Auburndale, Fla.