MANDAN, N.D. – No. 9 ranked Augustana thwarted a late comeback, winning 10-7 over Minnesota State Friday afternoon at BNC Field. The Vikings led 10-1 after four innings and held on, despite a grand slam by the Mavericks'
Ryan Friedges in the eighth.
Minnesota State (36-17) plays in an elimination game Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of Concordia-St. Paul and Wayne State College. The winner earns the right to play top-seed Augustana in the NSIC Championship series Saturday.
"It wasn't the outcome we were hoping but I'm excited to see how we bounce back," said head coach
Matt Magers. "All year, our team has responded with energy. Depth on the mound will be important moving forward."
The Mavericks loaded the bases with two outs after a pair of walks in the top of the first. Friedges was hit by a pitch, bringing in
Aidan Byrne from third. A ground ball fielder's choice at second left three stranded to end the early threat.
With two outs in the bottom of the second, Augustana's Luke Ballweg singled to right to score Drey Dirkson from second. The next hitter, Parker Mooney drilled one over the right field scoreboard for a 3-1 lead.
Another two-out rally in the third gave the Vikings a 6-1 advantage and forced starting pitcher
Mack Crowley from the game.
Jake Matthaidess came in relief to collect the final out, but Augustana added four more runs in the fourth.
Augustana starting pitcher J.D. Hennen (W, 6-0) suppressed the Maverick high-power offense until the top of the eighth inning.
Derek Kay and
Adam Weed walked. Then
Brady Koeppel singled to load the bases.
Matthew Fleischhacker drove in Kay from third with a single to right center.
Hennen finished 7.0 innings and allowed four earned runs on three hits, walked five and struck out six.
Friedges smashed a grand slam to left, his fourth home run of the postseason, pulling MSU back to a 10-6 margin.
Lincoln Berry tagged and scored on
Tanner Thompson's sacrifice fly and the Mavericks trailed by three heading into the ninth.
Cole Ranweiler pinch hit and singled to left field with one out but Will Henry sent down Fleishchacker and Friedges to end the game.
