Auburndale, Fla. --- No. 7 Minnesota State baseball lost to Davenport 10-8 on Friday morning in Auburndale, Fla., to split a two-game series.
 
Minnesota State (1-1) and Davenport (6-3) played to a 8-8 tie through the first eight innings, before Davenport's Zac Wilson connected for a two-run homer in the top of the ninth that proved to be the difference in the game. The Mavericks won the first game of the series 7-5 in 10 innings on Thursday.
 
It was a game of momentum swings as the Mavericks outscored the Panthers 5-1 through the first three innings. The Panthers then scored the next four runs — culminating with one run in the top of the sixth — to tie the game at 5-5. The Mavericks scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to go back in front 7-5. However, the Panthers answered with three runs in the seventh to put the Mavericks behind 8-7. The Mavericks drew even at 8-8 in the bottom of the seventh, before Wilson capped off the scoring in the ninth to hand the Mavericks the 10-8 defeat.   
 
Junior left fielder Tyler Berg, senior shortstop Luke Waldek and sophomore third baseman Tory Miller garnered two hits each for the Mavericks. Senior center fielder Josh Wenzel, junior right fielder Jordan Hart and Berg each drove in two runs. Sophomore designated hitter Ty Buck garnered his first RBI in a Maverick uniform.     
 
Junior right-hander Nick Belzer started for the Mavericks. Belzer limited the Panthers to two runs through the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Belzer, who did not factor into the decision, allowed five runs — all earned — on nine hits over five innings of work. He struck out six and walked none. Sophomore Hunter Even came on in relief and allowed three earned runs in one inning of work in his Maverick debut. Also making his Maverick debut, junior Carlo Graffeo (0-1) pitched three innings, while striking out two and walking two. Graffeo was tagged with the loss after surrendering Wilson's home run.
 
James Rodgers (1-0) picked up the win — pitching the final three innings for the Panthers without allowing a run.
 
The Mavericks were outhit 15-10 on the day.
 
Minnesota State returns to the diamond for a doubleheader against Malone on Saturday in Winter Haven, Fla. Game one is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. CST.