Box Score JOPLIN, Mo. --- It proved to be a low scoring encounter Friday evening in Joplin, Mo. as Minnesota State dropped its season opener 2-1 against #14 Missouri Southern.

With the loss, the Mavericks drop to 0-1. With the win, the Lions improve to 8-2 on the season.

"For the first game of the year I was impressed with our level of energy and determination," head coach Matt Magers said. "It had a playoff type fell to it with both teams playing at a high level.

"Spencer Wright and Mitch Gutknecht were solid on the mound, working out of a couple of tough situations. We had a couple of chances offensively to add a run but it just didn't go our way tonight."

Junior Spencer Wright (0-0) earned the no decision as he gave up one run in five innings, while striking out three. Junior Mitch Gutknecht (0-1) took the loss as he gave up one unearned run in three innings of relief while striking out two. Cole Gayman (3-0) earned the win as he allowed just one run, on seven hits, in six innings of work.

The scoring remained light through the first three innings as Missouri Southern led 1-0. The Mavericks left two runners on base in the top of the first, before the Lions struck in the bottom half of the inning. Drew Townsend led off the inning with a single, before a double from Henry Kusiak to right field gave Missouri Southern the 1-0 lead. The second inning saw both teams go down in order, while the third inning saw each team get their leadoff man on base only to see them left stranded.

After a 1-2-3 fourth inning, the Mavericks finally broke through in the fifth. With one out, junior Lincoln Berry tripled to right field, before an RBI-single from senior Hunter Ranweiler tied the game at 1-1. A single from sophomore Matthew Fleischhacker put runners on first and second, but a double play by the Lions ended the Maverick threat in the top of the fifth.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Lions put runners on first and second via a walk and a fielding error with nobody out. The Mavericks managed to get the next two outs but an RBI-single from Garrett Rice to right field gave the Lions the 2-1 lead before Gutknecht could get out of the inning.

The Mavericks managed just one base runner in the final three innings as Missouri Southern relief pitcher Kyle Moore struck out five batters to preserve the 2-1 win for the Lions.

Fleischhaker and Ranweiler both finished the day with two hits each, with Ranweiler driving in the lone Maverick run.

Minnesota State continues action at the Missouri Southern Lion Classic on Saturday as it takes on Illinois Springfield. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.