Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State took the rubber game against Minot State 7-0, winning the series 2-1 Saturday night at Franklin Rogers Park.
 
The Mavericks (13-6) posted their third shutout of the season over the Beavers (8-9) and improved to a 5-3 record in conference play.
 
Minnesota State and Minot State were locked up in a pitcher's duel as the Mavericks did not score until the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman right-hander Collin Denk started for MSU and sophomore left-hander Zach Newman started for Minot.

The Mavericks broke through against the Beavers' bullpen as junior right-hander Aaron Kern replaced Newman at the beginning of the inning. Junior first baseman Ty Buck and senior right fielder Jordan Hart began the inning with two singles. Both moved up on a groundout by freshman shortstop Nick Altermatt and then Buck scored on freshman third baseman Carter Elliott's fielder's choice, with Minot State trying to get Buck out at the plate. Junior pinch hitter Jack Mattson also grounded out after his hit deflected off the pitcher's glove, but Hart also scored on the play to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Minnesota State scored four more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning off three different Beaver relievers. Buck hit his fourth triple of the season to deep left center field scoring junior second baseman Teddy Petersen and senior catcher Tom Imholte, who walked and singled earlier in the inning. Hart notched his second single of the game, driving in Buck to extend the lead to 5-0. With the bases loaded and two outs on the scoreboard, Hart was able to score the fourth run of the inning on a wild pitch.

Buck drove in another run in the bottom of the eighth inning off a single that brought in Petersen to make the final score 7-0.
 
Buck finished the game with three hits and three RBI, while Imholte and Hart both finished with two hits apiece.

Denk (1-1) went six scoreless innings, gaining his first collegiate win, while only allowing five hits. He also walked two batters, but struck out six Beavers. Freshman right-hander Zach Gustafson pitched the final three scoreless innings and earned his first collegiate save. Gustafson allowed a single hit and struck out four hitters in his appearance.
 
Newman went five scoreless innings for the Beavers, allowing two hits and a walk, while striking out five. Kern (1-2) took the loss as he allowed four runs on three hits, a walk and collected two strikeouts. Senior left-hander Aaron Bernal came in and faced two batters, but did not record an out as he gave up two runs. Junior right-hander Matt Sartwell finished the seventh inning by recording two strikeouts and walking one. Freshman right-hander Austin Selz came in for the eighth inning and only got one out on a strikeout after giving up a run on two hits. Sophomore left-hander Sam Larson recorded the final two outs for the Beavers with one of them being a strikeout.

Minnesota State will host Minnesota Crookston in a mid-week series on Wednesday, March 27 at Bowyer Field. A doubleheader will be played with the first game starting at 1:30 p.m., and the second game following at 3:30 p.m.
 
Jordan Hart commented following the win.