Mankato, Minn. -- Minnesota State (24-9, 14-4 NSIC) suffered its first home losses coming back-to-back for the first time this season against Augustana (28-14, 17-5 NSIC) by finals of 3-2 and 9-6.
The Mavericks found success against the Vikings starting pitcher early in the first two frames to keep pace with Augustana at two.
Freshman Matthew Fleischhacker led off the game with an infield single while then advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Mikey Gottschalk. Sophomore Aidan Byrne punched through a single up the middle scoring Fleischhacker giving the Mavericks the early 1-0 lead.
After a two-run homer in Augustana's top of the second, junior Nick Baker made sure to respond with an RBI double scoring sophomore Brock Johnson evening the score at two.
The Vikings would add one in their half of the fourth and managed to hold onto a 3-2 win.
Seth Miller (6-1) got the win for AU going six innings allowing two runs on nine hits.
Adam Diedrich notched his seventh save on the season for the Vikings.
Junior Nathan Culley got tagged with the loss going six innings surrendering three runs on four hits while compiling eight strikeouts.
After falling into a 3-0 hole to start the second game of the afternoon, sophomore Aidan Byrne brought the Mavericks to within one in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run bast for his fourth homer on the season.
In the bottom of the seventh, Freshman Matthew Fleischhacker notched an RBI double to right center giving the Mavericks their first lead of the day at 5-4.
Junior Jackson Hauge would them punch through an RBI single plating Fleishhacker for his third run scored on the afternoon.
The Mavericks would watch their lead slip as Augustana clawed its way to a 9-6 victory.
Caleb Kranz got the win for AU going seven innings allowing six runs on nine hits.
Ashton Michek notched his third save on the season for the Vikings.
Junior Jack Zigan was tagged with the loss going one-third of an inning allowing three runs on two hits.
Minnesota State's final game of the series against Augustana has been moved to Monday due to inclement weather. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Bowyer Field.
