Sioux Falls, S.D. --- Minnesota State faced an early deficit that it could not overcome in dropping a 13-2 decision to Arkansas-Monticello in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Division II Central Region tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Boll Weevils jumped on starter Cam Kline in the top of the first, erupting for five runs on six hits in the first seven batters of the contest. The Mavericks responded in the bottom of the inning when senior right fielder Jordan Hart put the ball over the left field fence for his 19th home run of the year. The 19 home runs by the Lyle, Minn., native establishes a Minnesota State record for home runs in a season, surpassing the 18 home runs by Kevin Dixon in 2005.

Hart, this year's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Player of the year, went to work again in the bottom of the third, extending his school record for runs batted in to 72 when he singled through the right side to score Nick Altermatt, who had singled to start the inning and advanced to second on a fielding error by the left fielder. At that point in the game, the Mavericks trailed 5-2.

Arkansas-Monticello added to its lead in the top of the fourth, capitalizing on a pair of hits and a Minnesota State error to score twice in taking a 7-2 lead.  It became a 13-2 advantage when the Weevils struck for six runs in the top of the seventh.

The Mavericks, who now stand 39-14 for 2019, used six pitchers in the contest and Kline took the loss in seeing his record drop to 10-2 on the year. The Boll Weevils, who upped their record to 34-14 with their win, outhit the Mavericks 13-8 in the game.  Hart finished the game with a four-for-four effort at the plate, along with two RBI.

Next action for Minnesota State is Friday when it will face the loser of Augustana and Oklahoma Baptist at 2:30 p.m.

Head coach Matt Magers commented following the game.