Emporia, Kan. --- No. 2-seeded Minnesota State defeated No. 8-seeded Arkansas-Monticello 6-5 in the 2017 NCAA DII Baseball Regional Tournament on Saturday night at Trusler Sports Complex.
 
Arkansas-Monticello (33-20) got on the scoreboard first with a single run in the bottom of the second, but the Mavericks (46-10) tied the game in the top of the third on an RBI double by junior center fielder 
Josh Wenzel.
 
The Mavericks and Boll Weevils traded single runs in the fifth inning to leave the game tied at 2-2. Sophomore outfielder 
Tyler Berg, who doubled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior shortstop 
Luke Waldek, scored on a ground-out by senior catcher 
Hunter Harnisch. The Boll Weevils scored their run on a sacrifice fly.
 
The Mavericks retook the lead with a four-run sixth inning that made the score 6-2. Freshman second baseman 
Teddy Petersen drove in two runs on a triple, and sophomore right fielder 
Jordan Hart launched a two-run homer to right-center field. 
 
The Boll Weevils cut into the Maverick lead with a single run in bottom of the sixth, but junior right-hander 
Ricky Digrugilliers came in to the game in relief of senior starter 
Mitchell Bauer (9-0) to get the final out of the sixth and retain a 6-3 lead for Minnesota State.
   
Arkansas Monticello kept clawing its way back into the game with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to make the score 6-5, but Digrugilliers closed the door to earn his second save of the season.
 
Bauer earned the win after limiting the Boll Weevils to three runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two. The Mavericks improved to 13-0 on the season in games started by Bauer.  
 
Kris Brown (6-5) was charged with the loss for Arkansas-Monticello. Brown allowed five runs – all earned – on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out seven.   
 
Minnesota State moves on to play No. 7-seeded Central Oklahoma in an elimination game on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.  
View head coach 
Matt Magers' postgame Interview below.
 
 
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