SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Minnesota State Mavericks are the 2025 NSIC Tournament Champions for the ninth time in program history after defeating Augustana University twice on Saturday, winning Game 1 by a score of 5-4 and taking Game 2 in dominant fashion, 18-9.
Minnesota State (49-6) avenged their loss in the NSIC Championship to Augustana (39-16) last spring. Louis Magers eclipsed the single season home run record in MSU history with his 20th long ball in the final game of the Championship. He was also named tournament most valuable player.
"I think today, just seeing the guys going out there giving it their all, that's what we've talked about all year and it's what we've worked for," said Louis Magers. "There's no better group of guys I'd go through that with. We've had a pretty successful season so far and hopefully this is just the beginning."
Other members of the NSIC all-tournament team included Mavericks Zach Stroh, Nathan Culley, and Jake Berkland.
Game 1 – MSU 5, AUGIE 4
The Vikings struck first in the top of the second inning with an RBI single taking a 1-0 lead. The Mavericks responded quickly in the bottom half, capitalizing on an Augustana error and a pair of singles. RBI hits from Aidan Byrne and Ike Mezzenga brought home two unearned runs to give MSU a 2-1 lead
In the fourth inning Augustana tied the game by scoring a single. The score remained 2-2 until the bottom of the seventh, when MSU's Louis Magers launched a solo home run to right field, giving the Mavericks a 3-2 edge.
The Mavericks added insurance in the eighth. Jake Berkland led off with a double and came around to score on a groundout by Nick Baker. A two-out RBI single from Matthew Fleischhacker brought in another run, pushing the MSU lead to 5-2.
The Vikings rallied in the ninth with back-to-back hits and a sacrifice fly to trim the deficit to 5-3. An RBI single brought Augustana within one, but closer Ean DiPasquale induced a groundout to end the game and seal the win.
Magers led MSU at the plate with a home run and two hits, while Byrne and Mezzenga each recorded an RBI. Starter Sam George earned the win, and DiPasquale picked up the save.
Game 2 – MSU 18, AUGIE 9
After a quiet first inning, Minnesota State jumped on the board in the second. A leadoff walk and another free pass set the table for Jake Berkland, who ripped an RBI double down the left field line to give MSU a 1-0 lead. Ben Palmer followed with a sacrifice fly, and RBI hits from Nick Baker and Matthew Fleischhacker pushed the lead to 4-0 after three.
The Mavericks broke the score open in the third inning. With two outs and runners in scoring position, MSU strung together five hits—including a two-run single from Baker and another RBI single from Palmer—to put up six runs and extend the lead to 6-0. Augustana responded with two runs in the fourth and added three more in the sixth, closing the gap to 7-5.
Minnesota State slammed the door with a massive bottom of the sixth. Ike Mezzenga and Louis Magers launched back-to-back home runs to start the inning, igniting a 10-run explosion. The Mavericks sent 14 batters to the plate and capitalized on walks, hit-by-pitches, and clutch hitting. Magers capped the rally with his second homer of the frame, a three-run shot to right field that made it 17-5.
Augustana scored four more runs in the final innings, but the deficit was too great to overcome. Magers finished the game with two home runs and four RBIs, while Berkland, Baker, and Fleischhacker all turned in multi-hit, multi-RBI performances. On the mound, the MSU bullpen held strong despite the late push by the Vikings.
With the win, Minnesota State claimed the NSIC Tournament Championship and qualified for the NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament. The NCAA selection show will be streamed on NCAA.com on May 11th at 9:30 p.m. CT.
