MINOT, N.D. -- Minnesota State (18-4, 15-3 NSIC) got back in the win column with a 4-2 victory over Minot State (12-7, 10-4 NSIC) in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game at Corbett Field, Sunday afternoon.
On the mound for the Mavericks, sophomore right-handed pitcher Nick Altermatt was solid in a six-inning showing that saw him hold the Beavers to one run on one hit and striking out six of the 20 MISU batters he faced. Offensively, junior DH Cam Kline was a force with the bat. Despite not having a hit, Kline had a team-high two RBI with a sacrifice fly and RBI groundout.
The Mavericks got on the board first in the opening inning. First, Kline flew out to leftfield deep enough to allow Teddy Petersen to score from third on a sacrifice fly. The second run came across when freshman Adam Schneider singled to drive in Joey Werner, who led MSU with two runs in game three. After the first inning, MSU led Minot State 2-0.
MSU added an insurance run in the third when Kline got his second RBI of the afternoon on a fielder's choice RBI that scored Werner and made it a 3-0 ballgame.
In the sixth, the Beavers got on the board with an RBI single from Kaiden Cardoso that brought MISU within two, 3-1.
The Mavericks and Beavers traded blows in the eighth inning for one run a side. Maverick catcher Ben Livorsi hit a sacrifice fly and Beavers' outfielder Drew Behling hit his third solo home run of the series. However, that's where the scoring wrapped up as the Mavericks prevailed in a 4-2 victory to avoid a three-game losing streak one day after suffering its first consecutive loss.
The hits battle saw MSU come out on top 9-4 while both sides had one error. Behind a 3-for-5 afternoon, Petersen led the Mavericks in hits and had one of MSU's two doubles.
On the bump, Altermatt, now 2-0 this season, made his fourth start of the season. The sophomore from Wanda, Minn., pitched six complete frames, allowing a pair of hits for one run (unearned), struck out six of 20 batters faced and walked two. Then, sophomore right-hander Jack Zigan took over for the seventh and eighth allowing just a solo home run. Zigan struck out four while allowing no free passes. Senior closer Hunter Even worked the ninth, struck out one and walked another but escaped a jam unscathed to earn his sixth save of the season.
The loss went to Minot State's RJ Martinez (2-2) after he pitched five complete innings and allowed three runs (two earned). He walked one and struck out five others while allowing six hits.
Minnesota State will now head to Minnesota Crookston to take on the Golden Eagles Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in Crookston, Minn.
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