Minneapolis, Minn. --- Seven Minnesota State pitchers combined on a three-hitter and Josh Wenzel went 3-for-4 with a home run and four runs batted in as the Mavericks opened the 2017 season with an 8-2 win over Minnesota-Crookston at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday night. 

Wenzel and Eric Peterson got the game off to a fast start as the latter singled on the first pitch of the game and, two pitches later, Wenzel hit a shot over the left field wall for a 2-0 lead.

Wenzel would pick up his third RBI of the game in the second inning when his single through the left side plated Dylan Dresel with two out and Luke Waldek followed with a single to left to drive in Hunter Harnisch.

Meanwhile, starting pitcher Brody Rodning made quick work of the Golden Eagles in his two innings of work, striking out four of the seven batters he faced while allowing a walk.

Minnesota State doubled its lead in the fourth inning as Harnisch led off the inning with a home run to left-center. Peterson then singled and stole second before Wenzel drove him home with a single up the middle. Wenzel then scored from third when Tyler Berg reached on an error and Jordan Hart  scored on Jack Mattson's single through the right side.

UMC would get single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, the latter being unearned, but were shut down over the final three innings by Jon Ludwig, Trevor Patterson and Dalton Roach, who combined to retire nine of the 10 batters they faced while striking out four.

The Mavericks head south this week to begin a seven-game road trip. They will open the trip Thursday with a 10:30 a.m. EST game versus Virginia-Wise.

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