ST. PAUL, Minn. --- Minnesota State (28-14, 21-8 NSIC) launched eight home runs in its Wednesday doubleheader and swept Concordia University, St. Paul (21-20, 13-19 NSIC) 10-4 and 17-6 at Barnes Field.
After the Golden Bears notched two early runs in the bottom of the first in game one, sophomore
Louis Magers responded with a solo shot to lead off the top of the second, cutting into CSP's early lead. The Mavericks continued to produce on a pair of RBI singles from sophomore
Matthew Fleischhacker and junior
Aidan Byrne, claiming its first lead of the day.
The Golden Bears inched close to the Maverick lead in the bottom of the third, but Magers, once again, had other plans in the top of the fourth. After Fleischhacker and Byrne worked walks to start the inning, Wickman singled to center field to load the bases for the Mavericks home run leader. Magers ripped the cover off a first-pitch fastball for his second grand slam of the season.
Minnesota State hung on to win by a final of 10-4. Junior
Mitch Gutknecht (3-3) notched his third win on the season after going five innings and allowing four while collecting eight strikeouts.
In game two, senior
Ryan Wickman wasted no time getting the Mavericks on the board with a two-run homer in the top of the first, scoring junior
Zach Stroh.
After Concordia-St. Paul tied the game at two, senior
Adam Weed blasted a solo shot in the top of the fourth for his third home run of the season to reclaim a 3-2 lead. The Mavericks scored 14 runs in the next four innings to 10-run rule the Golden Bears in the eighth inning.
Emits MSU's scoring onslaught in the seventh inning, sophomore
Matthew Fleischhacker produced his 42nd walk of the year breaking the MSU single-season walks record.
Freshman
Mack Crowley (2-0) picked up his second career win going four and a third innings allowing four runs while collecting four strikeouts.
"Our defense stood tall seeing no errors while turning multiple double plays to help grab two big conference road wins today," head coach
Matt Magers stated. "At the plate, we maintained pressure all day while our pitchers attacked the strike zone and limited big innings."
Minnesota State is back in action on Saturday as it hosts No. 14 Augustana on Alumni Day. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Bowyer Field.