Kissimmee, Fla. --- Minnesota State drops the final game of the Florida trip to Ashland 9-8 Friday night.
 
The Mavericks (8-3) battled back from multiple deficits to the Eagles (9-1), but was unable to hold a late lead losing the tight game.
 
Ashland struck first with a big top of the second inning, scoring four runs before recording two outs in the inning. Junior third baseman Garett Robberts hit a sacrifice fly to bring in sophomore catcher Logan Stoldt, who opened the inning with a double. Sophomore shortstop Austin Eifrid drew a bases loaded walk to produce the second run and then senior right fielder Sam Hawley hit a single to drive in the final two runs of the inning.
 
Minnesota State responded with a four run inning of its own in the bottom of the third inning. Junior designated hitter Jack Mattson began the inning reaching on an error and then junior second baseman Teddy Petersen walked with one out. After junior first baseman Ty Buck loaded the bases by being hit by a pitch, senior right fielder Jordan Hart hit a two RBI single bringing in Mattson and Petersen. Freshman shortstop Nick Altermatt followed with an RBI single of his own, plating Buck to make the score 4-3. Freshman third baseman Carter Elliott walked to load the bases again and then junior left fielder Ty Denzer was hit by a pitch to score the fourth run.
 
The Eagles came back with two runs of their own in the next half inning as junior first baseman Carson Mittermaier hit a single to score Eifrid. Stoldt lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Hawley later in the inning.
 
The Mavericks got one back in the bottom of the fourth inning when with runners on first and third base, senior catcher Tom Imholte hit into a 6-4-3 double play, but sophomore center fielder Jake Waletich scored on the play.
 
MSU drew even in the bottom of the seventh inning as Elliott scored from second base after a wild pitch bounced back to the pitcher before the pitcher threw the ball away trying to get the out at third base.
 
AU took the lead again in the top of the eighth inning as Hawley hit another RBI single to score Eifrid.
 
Minnesota State took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring two runs. Hart hit a double that scored junior pinch runner Tory Miller, after Buck walked. After an Ashland pitching change, Altermatt hit a go-ahead infield single that plated Hart from third base.
 
The Eagles regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning as freshman designated hitter Seth Schroeder knocked in a couple RBIs on a single. The Mavericks were unable to manufacture a run in the bottom of the ninth inning after a lead-off single by senior designated hitter Tyler Berg.
 
Hart lead the way offensively by going three-for-five with three runs batted in and scoring twice himself. Altermatt also chipped in with two hits and two runs batted in.
 
Sophomore right-hander Josh Stover (3-0) got the win after working the last inning and a third, while giving up no runs and collecting two strikeouts. Junior right-hander Chance Hitchcock started the game for the Eagles and went five innings, while giving up five runs, one earned run, on four hits and six walks with four strikeouts.

Sophomore right-hander Jimmy Larson (1-1) suffered the loss for the Mavericks after going seven innings in relief. Larson gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out eight batters. Freshman right-hander Collin Denk started the game for MSU and surrendered four runs, three earned runs, on four hits and a walk in two innings of work.

Minnesota State will begin conference play with a three-game weekend series against St. Cloud State at Bowyer Field. Games are slated for 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., on March 16 and 12:00 p.m., on March 17, respectively.