Mankato, Minn. -- Minnesota State (39-15, 25-8 NSIC) fell to the Huskies in the second game of the NSIC Championship to surrender the title by a final of 12-4. The Mavericks forced game two after beating the Huskies this morning by a final of 6-5.

Sophomore Aidan Byrne got the hitting started for the Mavericks with a single to left field then advanced to second on a walk. With two men on, junior Ryan Wickman crushed his eighth home run of the year to give the Mavericks the early three-run lead.

Freshman second baseman Matthew Fleischhacker added a much-needed insurance run in the bottom of the fourth knocking home junior catcher Nick Baker on a sacrifice fly to extend the Mavericks lead.

The Huskies answered with a home run in the top of the fifth to take the lead 6-5.

Sophomore Zach Stroh entered the game on a defensive switch who then made his presence known at the plate. In the bottom of the seventh, Stroh doubled to left center scoring Bryne and Wickman to give the Mavericks the lead. The Mavericks would send Junior Nathan Culley (8-3) to finish out the remained of the game in relief of sophomore Spencer Wright. Cully earned the win after going three innings while surrendering no runs on three hits.

Minnesota State was unable to dig itself out of a 9-0 hole as it dropped the second game to St. Cloud.

The Mavericks fought back in the seventh and ninth inning putting up a combined seven runs but were unable to climb the hill.

Junior Ryan Wickman finished the tournament with a team-high five home runs while accumulating seven runs and nine RBIs. Sophomore Aidan Byrne led the Mavericks in hits over the NSIC tournament with 11 hits.

Minnesota State will await its postseason fate tonight as the NCAA reveals its 2023 national championship bracket beginning at 10 p.m. on NCAA.com