MANKATO, Minn. -- Rated 15th in this week's NCBWA Division II Poll, Minnesota State (30-6, 26-5 NSIC) defeated Sioux Falls (19-118, 14-18 NSIC) 7-3 to secure its 11th Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Regular Season Championship, Thursday at Bowyer Field.
Senior second baseman Teddy Petersen had a big day for MSU, going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs, two RBI and a walk.
The Mavericks claimed the game's first lead when senior first baseman Carter Elliott lined out to left field in the form of a sacrifice fly that scored Petersen from third. After the first frame, MSU held a 1-0 lead.
The Cougars responded in the top of the second when Troy Hubers singled to left center to score one before a passed ball scored another, putting USF up 2-1.
MSU reclaimed the lead in the fourth and never looked back once senior outfielder Jack Waletich doubled to left center to score a pair and make it a 3-2 game.
Petersen hit his sixth home run of the season and made it a 4-2 game with a solo shot in the seventh.
He continued to be a menace in the eighth when he came to the plate with the bases loaded and wore an errant pitch for another RBI. Senior outfielder Joey Werner hit a sacrifice fly left to foul territory to drive in another run in the next at bat. Then, Nick Altermatt singled through the right side to make it a 7-2 game.
USF mounted a rally in the ninth, but only got one run across as a result of a sacrifice fly. The game ended in favor of MSU, 7-3.
Hits went the way of the Mavericks, 12-7, while the Cougars finished with the game's only error.
Earning his third win of the season to move to a 3-4 record was junior right-handed pitcher Cam Kline who pitched seven complete innings and allowed five hits and two runs (one earned). Kline struck out five and while not surrendering a walk in the win. In relief, Nathan Culley and Hunter Even each pitched an inning to secure the Mavericks' 30th win of the season.
On the hill for the USF was right-handed pitcher Caleb Ditmarson (2-3) who got the loss after pitching six complete innings and giving up six hits, three runs, walking three and striking out two.
Minnesota State heads to Winona State this weekend to conclude the regular season with a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m. Friday, before playing the third game at noon, Saturday.
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