Fayette, Iowa --- Minnesota State takes game one over Upper Iowa in a 16-6 win in seven innings on Saturday afternoon.
 
Minnesota State (25-8, 16-5 NSIC) used a seven run second inning to take the lead on the way to a mercy rule win, while senior outfielder Jordan Hart becomes the all-time career leader in runs batted in.
 
After an error by the Mavericks in the top of the first inning, the Peacocks went on the score three unearned runs to take the early lead. Sophomore first baseman A.J. Friedrich brought in the first run on the error and then junior designated hitter Hogan Penny doubled to center field to bring in the other two runs.
 
Hart scored the first run of the game for Minnesota State and cut into the Upper Iowa lead. Hart hit a solo shot to right center field for his 14th home run of the season and his 168th career RBI. He tied Nolan Johnson (2012-15) for the career all-time record at Minnesota State.

The Mavericks then exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the second inning to take an 8-3 lead. Junior second baseman Teddy Petersen was hit by a pitch and sophomore pitcher Cam Kline doubled to left field to lead off the inning. After a pop up, sophomore center fielder Jack Waletich was hit by a pitch to load the bases before sophomore third baseman Mitch Frederick brought two in to tie the game on a single to right field. Senior catcher Tom Imholte was hit by another pitch to load the bases up again and then freshman shortstop Nick Altermatt reached on an error to bring in the go-ahead run. With the bases loaded, Hart hit an RBI single to right field to make the score 5-3. With the RBI, Hart became the career all-time leader with 169 RBI at Minnesota State, passing Johnson. Everyone moved up on a wild pitch that allowed Imholte to score the sixth run of the game. Junior first baseman Ty Buck and Petersen brought in the final two runs of the inning on a sacrifice fly to center field and a single to right field.
 
Minnesota State put up three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to extend the lead to 11-3. Waletich and Frederick led off the inning with back-to-back singles and then Imholte brought both in on a double to right center field. Imholte manufactured the last run on the base paths by stealing third base and then scoring on a wild pitch.
 
Upper Iowa cut the Maverick lead to five runs after scoring three in the top of the fifth inning. Senior right fielder Tony Salato doubled to right center field for the third straight hit to open the inning and the bring in two runs. After two outs, senior shortstop Riley Braughton singled to center field to score the third run of the inning.
 
The Mavericks got two of the three runs back in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend the lead back to seven runs. Imholte doubled with one out in the inning and then advanced to third on a passed ball. Altermatt reached again on another Peacock error that allowed Imholte to come in and score. Hart singled to right field to move Altermatt up to third base before Buck hit a sacrifice fly to center field that brought in Altermatt.
 
Three more runs came across the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Mavericks to push the lead to 10. Waletich opened the inning by being hit by a pitch and then stole second base. Frederick followed with a walk and then Waletich moved up on another stolen base. Imholte then brought Waletich in on a single to right field before runners moved up to second and third on a passed ball. After a strikeout, the two runners moved up on another passed ball as Frederick came in to score. Buck hit his third sacrifice fly of the game to plate Imholte for the final run of the game.
 
Imholte and Hart both went three-for-four in the game to lead the offense. Imholte had two doubles, three RBI and four runs scored, while Hart had a home run, two RBI and two runs scored along with becoming the career leader in RBI. Petersen, Kline and Frederick also had multi-hit games, while Buck drove in three runs.

Right-hander Kline (7-0) went six innings in his start and allowed six runs (three earned runs) on seven hits and a walk, while striking out 10 batters. Junior right-hander Hunter Even pitched the final inning and sent down the Peacocks in order with one strikeout.
 
Sophomore right-hander Alexander Morales (2-3) lasted two innings, giving up 11 runs (eight earned runs) on nine hits and a walk with one strikeout. Junior right-hander Greg Glass also pitched two innings without giving up a run and had two walks. Sophomore right-hander Chris Webber pitched an inning, allowing two runs (one earned run) three hits and a walk with a strikeout. Senior right-hander Alexander Glick recorded one out and gave up three runs (two earned runs) on a hit and two walks. Junior right-hander Chris Harsh pitched the final two-thirds of an inning and did not give up a run.
 
Minnesota State will face Upper Iowa in in the final two games of the series on Sunday at 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.