MANKATO, Minn. -- Rated 14th in last week's NCBWA Division II Poll, Minnesota State (25-6, 21-5 NSIC) struggled to find runs while falling 1-0 and 7-0 to Augustana (26-8, 22-8 NSIC) in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader, Wednesday at Bowyer Field.
GAME ONE (7 INNINGS) | Augustana 1, Minnesota State 0
The Vikings got on the board first in game one after a single for AU down the rightfield line moved AU's Jordan Barth from first to third before he scored on an MSU throwing error moments later. After four innings at Bowyer Field, AU was on top 1-0.
AU's one-run lead held up until the very end and saw the Vikings take game one 1-0. Despite having their winning streak snapped at eight wins in a row, MSU claimed the hits advantage 5-4 in game one. However, MSU had the game's lone error which resulted in AU's only run scored.
On the mound for the Mavericks, Nick Altermatt, now at a 3-1 mark, allowed one run in his first loss of the season while pitching six complete innings. Altermatt surrendered four hits and struck out six while not giving up a walk.
Viking's starting left-handed pitcher Koby Bishop (6-1) pitched a complete game shutout in game one. In seven innings, Bishop gave up five hits, walked four and struck out eight MSU batters.
GAME TWO (9 INNINGS) | Augustana 7, Minnesota State 0
The Vikings claimed the game's first lead again in game two with two hits and help from a Maverick fielding error. It was Barth on the attack again, putting the Vikings on top first when he grounded out to short. In the next at bat, a Maverick error allowed another Viking run to come across and make it 2-0 in the third inning.
Drey Dirksen doubled to left center in the fourth to drive in the Vikings' third run, making it a 3-0 lead through four frames for AU.
In the sixth inning, the Vikings moved out to a 4-0 lead when Sam Baier laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Carter Howell from third.
Augustana put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth with three more runs to make it 7-0, where it ultimately would stand, after another Maverick error scored one before Barth hit a two-run home run to leftfield.
MSU was outhit by AU 10-4 in game two and had the second game's only pair of errors.
Augustana's right-handed starting arm was Ryan Jares (4-1) for game two. Jares completed the doubleheader shutout of MSU when he threw 128 pitches as part of a complete game shutout. The nine-inning grind saw him allow four hits, walk three and strike out 14 MSU batters.
Junior right-handed pitcher Cam Kline was the Mavericks' starting arm for game two. Now 2-4 this season, Kline got the loss following his four innings of work that saw him give up three runs (two earned) on six hits. Kline struck out a pair while never surrendering a walk. In relief, Jack Zigan pitched the fifth, sixth and seventh innings and allowed one run on three hits and struck out two. Hunter Even pitched the eighth and ninth, allowing one hit and three unearned runs. He walked one and struck out two others.
Minnesota State's next action takes place when the Mavericks play host to Sioux Falls for a 7/9-inning doubleheader at Bowyer Field, May 5.
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