Mankato, Minn. --- For the second consecutive day, No. 19 Minnesota State baseball split a home Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader against St. Cloud State on Friday at MSU Baseball Complex.
Minnesota State (28-7, 23-3 NSIC) won the first game against St. Cloud State (27-11, 18-8 NSIC) 5-4 on a walk-off single by junior center fielder Josh Wenzel, before losing the second game 9-5.
With the doubleheader split, the two teams split their four-game NSIC series.
GAME 1 – No. 19 Minnesota State 5, St. Cloud State 4
The Mavericks won the first game – scheduled for seven innings – on a walk-off single off the bat of junior center fielder Josh Wenzel in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The Huskies plated single runs in the both the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead, but the Mavericks responded in the bottom of the second when freshman second baseman Tommy McDonald drove in senior designated hitter Hunter Walsh on a fielder's choice to cut the deficit in half.
St. Cloud State increased its lead to 3-1 with a single run in the top of the third, but the Mavericks scored twice in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 3-3. Junior first baseman Dylan Dresel brought home freshman left fielder Teddy Petersen on a fielder's choice, and junior shortstop Luke Waldek – running the bases aggressively – also came around to score from second base as the Huskies failed to complete a double play.
In the top of the fifth, the Huskies scored one run to go up 4-3, but the Mavericks answered again – scoring the tying run in the bottom of the sixth inning on a double off the bat of McDonald that scored sophomore right fielder Jordan Hart.
The game remained tied 4-4 until Wenzel's walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth secured the Mavericks a 5-4 win in game one. Sophomore Tyler Berg, who pinch hit for Petersen in the bottom of the seventh and remained in the game in left field, scored the game-winning run.
Junior left-hander Aaron Rozek (1-1) earned the win for Minnesota State – pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, while holding the Huskies to one hit. He walked none and struck out one.
Junior right-hander Ricky Digrugilliers held the Huskies to four runs – three earned – on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings, but did not factor into the decision. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Miles Nablo (3-1) took the loss for the Huskies – allowing the game-winning run on five hits in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out one and walked one.
GAME 2 – St. Cloud State 9, No. 19 Minnesota State 5
The Mavericks had a 5-0 lead evaporate as they lost to the Huskies 9-5 in game two.
The Maverick offense scored two runs in the first inning and three runs in the second inning to take an early 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the first inning, junior first baseman Dylan Dresel hit a two-run home run – his seventh of the season. In the bottom of the second, senior third baseman Eric Peterson drove in two runs on a single into center field. Junior center fielder Josh Wenzel drove in what turned out to be the final Maverick run of the game on a double.
However, the Minnesota State lead would not hold – as St. Cloud State scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, followed by six runs in the top of the sixth to make the final score 9-5.
Junior right-hander Quinn Ahern started for the Mavericks and limited the Huskies to four runs – three earned – on five hits, while striking out three and issuing three walks in five innings of work. He did not factor into the decision.
Junior right-hander Cody O'Brien (1-1) took the loss for Minnesota State – charged with three runs in 0 1/3 innings pitched.
Kevin Bolder (1-0) pitched five shut-out innings in relief to pick up the win for St. Cloud State. He struck out seven, walked none, and held the Mavericks to one hit.
The Mavericks return to the diamond to face Northern State in a doubleheader at 1:30 P.M., on Wednesday at MSU Baseball Complex.
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