Auburndale, Fla. --- With the scored tied 5-5 in the top of the 10th inning and Luke Waldek on second base, Josh Wenzel doubled to record his single-game career-high fifth hit of the day to chase home Waldek for the eventual game-winning run. Wenzel would come around to score on an error as No. 7 Minnesota State baseball went on to win 7-5 over Davenport on Thursday afternoon.
Minnesota State (1-0) traded runs with Davenport (5-3) through the first three innings of the game. After the Mavericks fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Waldek, a senior shortstop, garnered an RBI double to tie the game. Sophomore designated hitter Jack Mattson put the Mavericks up 2-1 with an RBI double in the third inning. However, the Panthers answered back to tie the game at 2-2 after three innings complete.
The Maverick offense created breathing room with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomore second baseman Teddy Petersen hit a sacrifice fly, while junior right fielder Jordan Hart and senior first baseman Dylan Dresel each tallied RBI singles to put the Mavericks up 5-2.
The Maverick lead remained 5-2 until the eighth inning when the Panthers scored one run to make the score 5-3.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Mavericks had the Panthers down to their last out, but Jimmy Filipski connected for a two-run homer to make the score 5-5 and send the game to a 10th frame.
After Wenzel, a senior center fielder, gave the Mavericks the lead in the top of the 10th inning, junior right-hander Bobby Gauvreau worked out of a bases-loaded jam to secure the win.
Senior left-hander Aaron Rozek started for the Mavericks, but did not factor into the decision — holding the Panthers to two runs (one earned) on seven hits over four innings. Rozek struck out six and walked two. Senior right-hander Dalton Roach (1-0) was the pitcher of record on the long side after holding Davenport to three runs — two earned — on five hits. Roach walked one and struck out six. Gauvreau worked around a hit, a walk and a hit batsman in a single inning of work to earn the save.
Minnesota State and Davenport conclude their two-game nonconference series at 9:30 a.m. CST on Friday in Auburndale, Fla.
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