Auburndale, Fla. --- Minnesota State (10-4) defeated Grand Valley State University by a final of 3-2 in its final game at the 2023 RussMatt invitational.

In the Mavericks half of the second inning, sophomore Aidan Byrne stayed hot at the plate his first at-bat of the day as he worked a one-out single for his 15th hit on the season.

After junior Brock Johnson and freshman Louis Magers both worked walks to load the bases, sophomore Ryan Friedges notched a single up the middle scoring both Bryne and Johnson and giving the Mavericks the early 2-0 lead.

In the top of the third, junior Jackson Hauge took a pitch on the shoulder for his team-leading fourth HBP of the season. The speedy outfielder then grabbed his first stolen base of the year to put himself in scoring position.

Junior Adam Schneider drove in Hauge with an RBI single to center field for his sixth RBI on the season for the Mavericks' third tally of the day.

The Lakers would claw their way back answering with runs in the third and fifth inning to cut the Mavericks' lead to one.

Head coach Matt Magers made the call to the bullpen to start the bottom of the seventh handing the ball off to freshman Tanner Shumski.

Shumski shut down the Lakers' bats through three innings, only allowing a hit. The freshman would notch his first career save locking down the Mavericks' 3-2 victory.

Dylan Gotto (3-1) earned the win after six innings of work while allowing five hits and one earned run while compiling four strikeouts.

Owen Avery (0-1) was tagged with the loss going an inning and two-thirds surrendering two runs on one hit and one free pass.

Minnesota State is back in action on March 18th to open conference play against Northern State. Next Saturday's home opener is scheduled for a noon first pitch.