Mankato, Minn. --- No. 21 Minnesota State baseball swept a home Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader against Sioux Falls on Tuesday at MSU Baseball Complex.
 
Minnesota State (26-5, 21-1 NSIC) won the first game 2-1 over Sioux Falls (12-18, 9-11 NSIC) and the second game 4-0 to increase its winning streak to four games.
 
GAME 1 – No. 21 Minnesota State 2, Sioux Falls 1
 
Dalton Roach (6-0) started on the mound for the Mavericks and pitched a seven-inning complete game – holding the Cougars to two hits and one earned run, while striking out 11. The game was Roach's third outing with at least 10 strikeouts in 2017. Roach's six wins lead the Maverick pitching staff and he lowered his team-leading ERA to 1.57. 
 
In the top of the third inning, junior catcher Noah Bluth hit a sacrifice fly to center field – scoring junior first baseman Dylan Dresel to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. 
 
In the top of the fourth inning, a solo home run to right field tied the game for Sioux Falls, but the Cougars could not score again off of Roach.
 
After an error and a single by senior third baseman Eric Peterson in the bottom of the sixth inning, junior center fielder Josh Wenzel laid down a sacrifice bunt along the first-base line, scoring sophomore left fielder Tyler Berg from third base. This would turn out to be the deciding run as the Mavericks held on for the 2-1 victory.
 
Sioux Falls' pitcher Zak Wallner (1-1) finished the game with one strikeout, one earned run, and gave up four hits. 
 
GAME 2 – No. 21 Minnesota State 4, Sioux Falls 0
 
Senior Mitchell Bauer (5-0) tossed a complete game shutout as the Mavericks won 4-0 in game two. Bauer allowed 10 hits and walked two, while striking out six batters in the win. He lowered his season ERA to 2.44.  
 
Bauer worked out of jams early and often – getting key outs when needed to strand 12 runners in the game.
 
The Mavericks, who were held off the scoreboard early, broke through when junior center fielder Josh Wenzel singled to left in the bottom of the fifth – scoring senior third baseman Eric Peterson from second base to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. Peterson's all-time program runs record now sits at 196.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, freshman second baseman Tommy McDonald bunted down the third-base line, and a throwing error allowed freshman pinch runner Teddy Petersen to score from second base. McDonald advanced to third base on the same error. Junior catcher Noah Bluth came to bat next and, on the first pitch, hit a sacrifice fly to right field – scoring McDonald to give the Mavericks a 3-0 lead. 
 
A wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning allowed Bluth to score an insurance run for the Mavericks, as they went on to win 4-0.
 
Dan Johnson (2-2) was on the short end of the decision for the Cougars. He allowed three runs – one earned – on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. Johnson walked three and struck out five.

The Mavericks return to the diamond to face St. Cloud State in an NSIC doubleheader at home on Friday at 1:30 p.m.