Monticello, Ark. --- Minnesota State fell the Arkansas-Monticello 9-7 after UAM took the lead in the fifth inning and did not relinquish it.
 
The Mavericks (2-1) traded runs with the Weevils (1-2) through the first three innings of the game. The Mavericks jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as senior right fielder Jordan Hart got on base by way of a dropped third strike and junior second baseman Teddy Petersen came in to score. The Weevils answered in the bottom half of the inning as junior center fielder Nathaniel English scored on a fielder's choice. MSU scored one in the second and third innings to take a 3-1 lead. The second run came when Peterson walked with the bases loaded, bringing in sophomore center fielder Jack Waletich. Senior catcher Tom Imholte came through with a bases loaded RBI single for the third run of the day, plating Hart. UAM closed the gap in the bottom of the third inning when junior left fielder Elijah Celaya sent one over the left center fence for a solo shot.
 
The Weevils then took a 8-3 lead by scoring four runs in the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning. English scored on a wild pitch to tie up the game. A sacrifice fly by senior first baseman Kaleb Wardern, a double by senior designated hitter Brodie Threet and a single by senior catcher Andrew Piraino plated three more in the fifth inning. Sophomore third baseman Jordan Johnson brought home two more on a single in the sixth inning.
 
Minnesota State attempted a comeback when freshman shortstop Nick Altermatt scored on a groundout by freshman first baseman Carter Elliott in the seventh inning. MSU made it an 8-6 ball game in the top of the eighth when Peterson crushed a two-run bomb to left field after a pinch hit walk by junior infielder Jack Mattson.
 
Arkansas-Monticello scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when senior outfielder John Mauldin doubled home English. The Mavericks attempted one final push in the ninth inning and scored one run from a sacrifice fly from senior left fielder Tyler Berg that scored senior designated hitter Ty Buck, but ultimately fell short.

Elliot and Imholte both had multi-hit games by collecting two singles each with Imholte picking up a run batted in. Peterson led the way with three runs batted in on his first home run of the season and two walks. Berg also picked up his first RBI of the season in the loss.
 
Sophomore right-hander Trevor Divinski started for the Mavericks, but did not factor into the decision — holding the Weevils to two runs on four hits over four innings. Divinski struck out one and walked three in his appearance. Junior right-hander Hunter Even (0-1) replaced Divinski in the fifth inning and was handed the loss after allowing four runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning of work. Even walked and struck out one each. Freshman Jack Zigan made his Maverick debut after relieving Even in the fifth inning and work an inning and a third, giving up two runs on three hits, while striking out and walking one each. Freshman right-hander Zach Gustafson also made his Maverick debut and worked a clean seventh inning by inducing three groundouts on five pitches. Senior right-hander Bobby Gauvreau pitched the eighth inning and gave up one run on two hits, while striking out one.

Freshman left-hander Mason Philley (1-0) picked up the win for the Weevils after coming in at the beginning of the sixth inning and working two innings. Philley gave up one run on one hit, while issuing two walks and striking out one.
 
Minnesota State will be off until its spring break trip to Florida from March 1-8. The Mavericks will face UT-Tyler, Walsh, Grand Valley State, Florida Southern, Gannon, Findlay, West Virginia Wesleyan and Ashland while on the trip.