OMAHA, Neb. --- The bats were out in force once again for Minnesota State as the Mavericks drove in 17 runs on 15 hits in a 17-1 eight-inning victory over the University of Mary.

With the win, MSU improves to 5-0 on the season, including a 5-0 NSIC record. With the loss, UMary falls to 4-6, including a 0-1 conference record.

"We were relentless from the first pitch," head coach Matt Magers said. "We had solid starting pitching, timely hitting and we played well defensively."

Senior Mitch Gutknecht (2-0) picked up the win as he allowed just one run in seven innings of work, while striking out five. Senior Jacob Gajic and freshman Colin Anderson combined to throw the final inning for the Mavericks.

Adam Golby (0-3) took the loss as he allowed five runs, four earned, in 4.1 innings.

MSU jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first as graduate students Ike Mezzenga and Ben Palmer each drove in a run. Graduate student Aidan Byrne added a two-run single in the second, before a solo home run from junior Matthew Fleischhacker in the top of the fifth put the Mavericks up 5-0.

The sixth inning saw the Mavericks increase their lead to 9-0. A fielder's choice from Fleischhacker scored the first run, before a balk and an error by the UMary centerfielder allowed three more runs to score.

The Marauders managed to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly, but an eight run, six hit eighth inning from the Mavericks put the game out of reach as MSU went on to lock down the 17-1 win.

Fleischhacker scored four runs for the Mavericks and was one of five Mavericks to drive in two runs. Byrne recorded three hits and two RBI also, while Mezzenga tallied two hits and two runs batted in. Mezzenga has driven in at least one run in all five of MSU's games this season.

Minnesota State continues its season on Saturday as it takes on UMary at 1:30 p.m. at Ferichs Legion Field.