Minot, N.D. --- No. 21 Minnesota State baseball split a road Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader against Minot State on Saturday at Corbett Field. The Mavericks lost the first game 10-5 before rebounding to win the second game 19-1.
 
The game one loss to the Beavers (15-9, 10-6 NSIC) ended the Mavericks' (22-5, 17-1 NSIC) 17-game overall winning streak and 16-game NSIC winning streak.
 

GAME 1 – Minot State 10, No. 21 Minnesota State 5
 
Minot State scored eight runs in the first three innings and the Mavericks were unable to complete a comeback – losing 10-5 in a scheduled seven-inning game to start the doubleheader.
 
The Beavers scored four runs in the both the third and fourth innings to take an 8-0 lead over the Mavericks.
 
Minnesota State fought back – scoring one run in the fourth inning, three in the fifth and one in the sixth – to cut the Minot State lead to 8-5. Junior catcher Noah Bluth, senior designated hitter Hunter Walsh, junior shortstop Luke Waldek and junior first baseman Dylan Dresel each had an RBI hit. Bluth also drove in a second run on a sacrifice fly.
 
However, the Beavers tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and the Mavericks comeback came up short.
 
Junior southpaw Brody Rodning (4-1) started on the mound for the Mavericks and was charged with his first loss of the season after allowing eight runs – six earned – on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. Rodning, who entered the game having thrown 21 scoreless innings in NSIC play, had his NSIC-scoreless-inning streak end at 22.   
 
Right-hander Mark Lacroix (1-0) earned the win after holding the Mavericks to three runs – all earned – on six hits over four innings. He struck out four and walked two.
 
GAME 2 – No. 21 Minnesota State 19, Minot State 1
 
The Minnesota State offense erupted in game two as the Mavericks defeated Minot State 19-1 in a seven-inning run-rule shortened game to earn a split of Saturday's doubleheader.
 
The Maverick scored three runs in the second inning, four in the third, two in the fifth, one in the sixth and nine in the seventh.
 
Freshman second baseman Tommy McDonald, who went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, drove in a game-high six runs, which are the most he has batted in during a game as a Maverick. Four of his RBI came on a grand slam – his second of the season – in the third inning, which grew the Maverick lead from 3-0 to 7-0.
  
Junior first baseman Dylan Dresel, who went 3 for 3 with a walk, two doubles and four runs scored, homered in the first inning to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead at the time.
 
The offense was more than enough for junior right-hander Nick Belzer (3-0), who tossed six shut-out innings for the Mavericks to earn the win. Belzer scattered three hits, while striking out eight and walking five.
 
Senior third baseman Eric Peterson, who went 3 for 5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored, hit the Mavericks' third and final home run of the game – a two-run shot – in the top of the seventh that put the Mavericks up 19-0.  
 
Freshman right-hander Jack Rasmussen pitched the seventh and allowed one run. The Beavers threatened for more, but Rasmussen worked out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out the final batter of the game to secure the 19-1 victory for the Mavericks. 
 
Starting on the mound for Minot State, Reilly O'Rourke (2-1) was on the short end of the decision for the first time in 2017. He surrendered seven runs – five earned – on five hits in two innings. O'Rourke struck out one and walked four.    
 
The Mavericks and Beavers conclude their four-game NSIC series on Sunday at Corbett Field in Minot, N.D. First pitch of game one is slated for noon.