MANKATO, Minn. -- Minnesota State (9-1, 6-0 NSIC) won its eighth consecutive game to remain undefeated in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action following a 9-6 win over the University of Mary (4-4, 2-1 NSIC), Saturday at ISG Field.
Freshman infielder Adam Schneider opened the MSU scoring when he roped his first career home run, a line-drive three-run home run to right center, in bottom of first inning and gave the Mavericks a 3-0 lead.
UMary responded with Spencer Gillund and Ty Jones trimming the lead to just one in the next half inning with a pair solo home runs that shrunk the deficit to 3-2. However, in the bottom half of the second, MSU got back out to a two-run lead when Joey Werner hit an RBI single up the right field line to score Ty Denzer, making it 4-2.
In the bottom of the third, junior outfielder Jack Waletich hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Nick Altermatt and increased the Maverick lead to 5-2.
After MSU added another run on a wild pitch in the fifth, Altermatt scored on groundout from Waletich to up the Mavericks advantage to 7-2.
A sacrifice fly to deep center in the top of the sixth added a run for the Marauders and shrunk the MSU lead to 7-3. The Mavericks eventually got the run back in the bottom half when Petersen hit a ball over the centerfield wall. After confusion ensued in the field and on the base paths the Mavericks to only plated one run off Petersen's hit as MSU baserunners lapped over each other on the play. The score was 8-3 after six frames.
In the top of the eighth, Jones hit another home run for the Marauders for three runs that made it an 8-6 game. Scoring wrapped up in the bottom half of the eighth with Ryan Friedges hitting a pinch-hit RBI single up the middle to make it 9-6.
That's where the game ultimately stood after right-handed pitching senior Hunter Even continued his relief appearance into the ninth and earned the save.
On the bump, making his fourth start for his fourth win of the season, was senior right-handed pitcher Jon Ludwig. The Plymouth, Minn., native pitched six complete innings allowing five hits and three runs while walking two and striking out 10 against 26 UM batters. Right-hander Nathan Culley pitched the seventh and struck out two and walked one while allowing no hits or runs. Jack Brown took over in the eighth before being relieved by Even, who went on to earn his second save of the season after going the final 1.2 innings. Even allowed one hit, walked one and struck out three to shut the door.
The loss went to UM's Daniel Turner (0-1) after he went four frames surrendering six hits for seven runs (five earned). He walked to MSU batters and struck out three others.
Minnesota State and UMary are scheduled to move over to Bowyer Field to finish the three-game series with a doubleheader starting at noon tomorrow.
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