St. Louis, Mo. --- Minnesota State split the doubleheader against Maryville on Saturday and also split the four-game set by dropping game one 9-2 in seven innings and winning game two 3-1 in 11 innings.
 
GAME 1 – Maryville 9, Minnesota State 2
 
The Mavericks lose the lead in the fifth inning and are unable to recover as they drop the first game of the doubleheader for the second consecutive day.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Maryville pushed across the first run of the game. Junior third baseman Austin Tapella doubled to left center field that plated junior first baseman Ben Hopkins, who reached base on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning.
 
Minnesota State responded in the next half inning to take a 2-1 lead late in the seven-inning game. Freshman third baseman Adam Schneider drew a lead-off walk and came around to score when sophomore shortstop Nick Altermatt launched the firs Maverick home run of the season.
 
The Saints tied the game up and eventually took a three-run lead in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Junior center fielder Alex Hoff hit a one-out double and then scored on freshman catcher Hayden Thornton's single to right center field. After junior shortstop Don Connolly reached on a two-out infield single, Senior right fielder Wyatt Elbe hit a three-run home run over the right field fence to break the 2-2 tie.
 
Maryville added another four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the scoreboard read the eventual 9-2 final score. With two outs and the bases loaded, Connolly singled through the left side to bring in two runs. Elbe followed with a double to right field that brought around the other two runs in the inning.
 
Senior center fielder Joey Werner, junior right fielder Cam Kline, freshman left fielder Hunter Ranweiler and Altermatt picked up the four hits for the Mavericks.
 
Sophomore right-hander Collin Denk (0-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings. Senior right-hander Hunter Even came in to get the final out of the fifth inning. Freshman left-hander Evan Shaw made his collegiate debut, allowing one run on a walk and collected a strikeout in one-third of an inning. Senior right-hander Jack Rassmussen allowed the final three runs on two hits and a walk with a strikeout, while recording one out. Sophomore right-hander Jack Zigan recorded the final out of the sixth inning on a strikeout.
 
Sophomore left-hander Ryan Louck (2-1) picked game win after going five innings and allowing two runs on four hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts. Freshman right-hander Donovan Meloy pitched the final two innings and did not allow a hit, while striking out four.

GAME 2 – Minnesota State 3, Maryville 1 (11 inn.)
 
The Mavericks earn a doubleheader and series split after winning in extra innings against the Saints.
 
The Mavericks scored first in game two in the top of the third inning. Ranweiler walked to lead off the inning and eventually made it to third base by a wild pitch and a tag up on a flyout. After Werner was hit by a pitch, the Maryville pitched was called for a balk that allowed Ranweiler to score and Werner to move up to second base.
 
The Saints tied the game up in the bottom of the ninth inning, breaking up the combined no hitter and shutout for the Mavericks. With the bases loaded and no outs, Hopkins grounded into a double play, but Connolly was able to score on the play. The game remained tied at the end of the inning which meant extra innings.

Minnesota State took back the lead in the top of the 11th inning for good. Kline and junior catcher Ben Livorsi had back-to-back walks to open the inning and then freshman first baseman Adam Schneider also walked with one out. After a strikeout, Ranweiler came through with a big two-out single to left center field that scored two runs and won the game for the Mavericks.
 
Ranweiler led the way offensively by going three-for-four at the plate and bringing in the game winning runs.
  
Junior right-hander Jimmy Larson received a no decision after not allowing a hit through his six innings of work and totaled two walks and nine strikeouts. Junior right-hander Brendan Knoll made his Maverick debut by going two innings and allowing one run on three hits and a walk. Sophomore right-hander Nick Altermatt (1-0) was awarded the win after pitching the final three shutout innings, while allowing three hits and striking out six.
 
Senior right-hander Kaleb Huxford also received a no decision after going seven and a third innings, giving up one run on three hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts. Junior left-hander Chase Spinning pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief and did not allow a run on a walk with two strikeouts. Senior right-hander Ryan Scharf (0-1) was hit with the loss after allowing two runs on two hits and three walks with five strikeouts in three innings.
 
Minnesota State (2-2) will play next on its annual spring break trip to Florida. The Mavericks will play nine games in eight days from March 5-12 in Davenport, Fla.