Lakeland, Fla. --- Minnesota State defeated Florida Southern 10-7 in the fourth game of the Florida trip Monday night.
 
The Mavericks (5-2) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after three inning over the Mocs (7-8) and withstood a comeback with the help of seven Florida Southern errors.
 
The Mavericks scored two quickly in the top of the first inning to grab the early 2-0 lead. Senior catcher Tom Imholte started the inning with a one out walk and then junior first baseman Ty Buck grounded out to first base. As Imholte was heading for third to take an extra base, the first baseman made an errant throw to third, allowing Imholte to score. Senior right fielder Jordan Hart homered in the next at bat for his third of the season to extend the lead to 2-0.
 
Minnesota State added another two runs in the top of the second inning as freshman shortstop Nick Altermatt began the inning with a walk. Junior designated hitter Jack Mattson then doubled to advance Altermatt to third and sophomore center fielder Jack Waletich walked to load the bases with no outs. An error lead to Altermatt scoring and then Mattson scored on a fielder's choice to make the score 4-0.
 
Three more runs were added in the top of the third inning by MSU, starting with Hart's second home run of the day and fourth on the season. Freshman third baseman Carter Elliot then singled up the middle and Altermatt walked with no outs. A failed pick-off attempt allowed the runners to move up a base and then an error by the Mocs' center fielder scored Elliot. Junior left fielder Ty Denzer doubled to center field to score Altermatt and make the score 7-0.
 
Florida Southern got a couple of runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning as a Maverick error allowed the bases to be loaded. With two outs, sophomore second baseman Austin Huber singled to left field scoring two unearned runs.
 
The Mavericks scored one run in the top of the sixth inning as Buck hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored junior second baseman Teddy Petersen for an unearned run. The Mocs turned around and put up a four spot in the bottom of the inning with all of them being unearned. First, junior center fielder Vaun Brown singled for left center field that plated two unearned runs. Then freshman shortstop Collin Camarigg and junior third baseman Zach Scott both singled that scored an unearned run each.
 
Both teams scored a run in the seventh inning with MSU scoring by an error on a dropped third strike with Altermatt scoring. The Mocs answered with a lead off solo home run by sophomore first baseman Jacob Teter to make the score 9-7.
 
Minnesota State scored the final run of the game in the top of the eighth inning with an Altermatt single and Buck advanced home after a fielding error by Florida Southern.
 
Hart had another multi-hit game by going three-for-five with two home runs and two runs batted in. Hart has now tied Josh Smith for the all-time lead in home runs with 29.

Sophomore right-hander Jimmy Larson (1-0) started his first game of the season and went six innings and gave up seven runs (one earned run). Larson allowed 12 hits, one walk and one hit by pitch, but struck out 11 batters.
 
Freshman right-hander Collin Denk came in relief in the seventh inning and went the distance earning his first career save. Denk struck out five hitters and only allowed one hit and walk.
 
Freshman right-hander Carson King (2-2) took the loss for the Mocs by going two and a third innings, giving up seven runs (five earned runs), while striking out three and walking five batters.
 
Minnesota State will have an early turn around against Gannon tomorrow starting at 9:45 a.m., EST in Auburndale, Fla.