Box Score Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State baseball team opened the 2023 NCAA Central Region Tournament with an 8-4 victory over #15 Southern Arkansas (39-17) Thursday afternoon.
After a quiet top of the first, the Mavericks opened the second working two free passes while collecting a single from freshman Louis Magers to load the bases with no outs for junior catcher Nick Baker. Baker worked another walk forcing home junior Ryan Wickman. A fielder's choice allowed junior Mikey Gottschalk to score giving the Mavericks a two-run lead.
The Mavericks repeated their success in the next inning as junior Ryan Wickman singled to center field driving home freshman Matthew Fleischhacker – who was hit by a pitch - for Minnesota State's third tally of the game.
Junior Jackson Hauge added his 14th home run of the year in the top of the fifth giving the Mavericks a 5-1 advantage.
The Muleriders chipped away at the Mavericks' lead in the bottom of the sixth cutting the Mavericks lead to one after working four hits and two free passes against Maverick pitchers as they scored three runs to pull within a run at 5-4.
Minnesota State shut down any chance of a rally in the top of the ninth after scoring an additional three runs to hold off the Muleriders.
Redshirt junior outfielder Adam Weed drew a one-out walk and moved to second when Fleischhacker was hit by a pitch for the second time. Weed later came around to score when sophomore Aidan Byrne singled to third. Hauge then doubled down the left field line, plating Fleischhacker. Byrne concluded the scoring when he scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gottschalk.
Senior Dylan Gotto (10-2) notched the win for the Mavericks going five and one-third while allowing four runs on six hits. Zigan worked two and two-thirds en route to his eighth save, striking out two while holding the Muleriders without a baserunner.
Jeremy Adorno (8-4) got tagged with the loss going eight and one-third innings surrendering seven runs on five hits. In all, the Muleriders walked eight and hit four Maverick batters.
The Mavericks (40-15) are back in action tomorrow as they face the winner of the Missouri Southern and Arkansas Tech game which will be played later this evening.
