Joplin, Mo. --- Minnesota State opened its season with a 4-1 win over Missouri Western on Friday afternoon at Warren Turner Field.
The Mavericks, deemed the home team on the neutral field, got the hitting started early as freshman
Louis Magers cracked the scoreboard first with a ground-rule RBI-double in the bottom of the second that plated sophomore
Aidan Byrne. This was Magers first collegiate hit, extra-base hit and RBI.
Later the next inning, junior
Adam Schneider broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third scoring junior
Jackson Hauge off a double to right field.
Two newcomers, sophomore
Zach Stroh and junior
Adam Weed both singled in a run in the sixth and eight innings, respectively, to give MSU junior pitcher
Nathan Culley a 4-1 lead.
Culley (1-0) went six innings accumulating seven strikeouts, allowing only fourth hits, and surrendering one earned run while giving no free passes.
Jack Zigan was summoned to handle the last three innings earning his third career save after striking out five of the 10 batters he faced.
Brayden McCollough (0-2) was saddled with the loss as he allowed two runs, in three innings of work, while striking out five.
The Mavericks are back in action tomorrow for day two of the Southern Missouri Invitational as they are set to square-off with Northwest Missouri State at 4:00 p.m.
