MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State Maverick baseball team (14-1, 8-0 NSIC) look to continue their strong start as they host the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (10-7, 6-2 NSIC) in their home opener this weekend. The teams will play a four-game series: one game on Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Gustie Baseball Field (St. Peter, Minn.), a doubleheader on Saturday at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Bowyer Field, and the series finale on Sunday at noon (ISG Field, Mankato, Minn.).

Last Time on the Diamond:

The Mavericks traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday for a doubleheader against UW-Parkside, coming away with a pair of victories. MSU won the opener 9-5 in seven innings before capping off the day with a dominant 19-7 win in nine innings.

In game one, Nathan Culley earned the win, improving to 4-0 on the season. Brady Jurgella hit a solo home run to left field and added a bunt single. Zach Stroh and Jake Berkland had back-to-back hits, while Ike Mezzenga delivered a two-run double down the first base line. Aidan Byrne followed with an RBI single, and Louis Magers and Spencer Wright also contributed hits to seal the win.

In game two, Mack Crowley picked up the victory, moving to 3-0 this season. Stroh, Matthew Fleischhacker, Brandon Vlcko, Mezzenga, and Berkland all scored for the Mavericks as MSU's offense exploded for 19 runs.
Culley leads the Mavericks' pitching staff with a 1.08 ERA and a perfect 4-0 record. Offensively, Mezzenga is hitting a team-best .429 with six home runs on the year.

Scouting the Bulldogs:

UMD enters the series with a 10-7 overall record (6-2 NSIC) after sweeping Saint Michael's College in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Bulldogs edged out a 5-4 win in game one before cruising to an 11-5 victory in game two.

Head coach Bob Rients is in his 20th season at the helm of the Bulldogs and has compiled a 328-369 career record.

Troy Lynch leads UMD at the plate, boasting a .478 batting average with two home runs and 15 RBIs. On the mound, Brayden Buttweiler has been the Bulldogs' top arm, holding a 3.52 ERA with a 2-0 record.