AUBURNDALE, Fla. ---  Fourth-rated Minnesota State's rally in the ninth came up just short as Northwood University defeated the Mavericks to hand MSU its first loss of the season.

The Mavericks had strung together five wins to begin the season and now stand 5-1 on the season. The Timberwolves improve their record to 5-2.

Northwood jumped out to a two run lead in the bottom of the first after Tanner McCarn took senior right-handed pitcher Joey Reed deep to left field for a two-run home run. The Mavericks cut the lead in half in the bottom of third inning after singles by redshirt freshman Dylan Dresel, senior Max Waletich and senior Nolan Johnson to make the score 2-1 in favor of Northwood.

In the top of the ninth NU used a pair of doubles to get a key insurance run heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Mavericks tried to complete another rally in the final inning when Dresel doubled to right field to bring home senior Kevin Kramer but that would be it as Northwood retired the final two batters.

Johnson went 2-5 with an RBI and his hit safely in every game this season for MSU. Dresel increases his hit streak to five games after going 3-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Reed pitched seven innings giving up two earned runs and striking out six batters for MSU.

Minnesota State will turn its attention to Alderson Broaddus University as they face the Battlers tomorrow afternoon in Winter Haven, Fla. The opening pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CST.