MINNETONKA, Minn. — The Minnesota State Mavericks (17-6, 10-1 NSIC) continued their dominant conference run with a doubleheader sweep over Concordia-St. Paul (10-16, 5-9 NSIC) on Saturday at Veterans Field, earning an 8–2 victory in game one and a 6–1 win in game two.
Game One – Minnesota State 8, Concordia-St. Paul 2
The Mavericks wasted no time setting the tone, scoring four runs in the first inning behind aggressive baserunning and timely hitting.
Jake Berkland sparked the rally with a walk and stolen base before
Louis Magers drove him in with a sacrifice fly. Minnesota State continued to apply pressure with a double steal from
Ethan Bowers and
Cole Yearsley, followed by
Brandon Vlcko's two-RBI double and
Charlie Schau's RBI triple.
Concordia-St. Paul attempted to rally in the sixth, plating two runs on Evan Berg's double, but Minnesota State's defense held strong, stranding three runners to maintain control.
The Mavericks added insurance runs in the sixth on Magers' two-run home run and again in the seventh to seal the 8–2 victory.
On the mound,
Sam George earned the win, throwing six innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out four.
Cale Haugen closed out the game with a scoreless inning of relief.
Magers led the offense with four RBIs, while Vlcko added two doubles and two RBIs. Berkland contributed with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Game Two – Minnesota State 6, Concordia-St. Paul 1
Minnesota State once again jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first inning after Berkland and
CJ Trask reached base and advanced on a wild pitch. Productive outs from Magers and Bowers brought both runners home.
The Mavericks extended their lead in the second inning, capitalizing on a bases-loaded opportunity. Berkland delivered an RBI single and Trask followed with a two-RBI double to push the lead to 5–0.
Concordia-St. Paul scored its lone run in the sixth, but the Mavericks maintained control throughout. Vlcko added a solo home run in the eighth to provide additional cushion.
Mack Crowley delivered a dominant performance on the mound, striking out 10 batters over six innings while allowing just one run to earn his fifth win of the season.
Daniel Zang was equally impressive in relief, striking out eight over three scoreless innings to secure the save.
Berkland led the offense with two hits and two runs scored, while Trask added a double and two RBIs. Vlcko finished with a home run and one RBI.
Minnesota State will look to complete the series sweep against Concordia-St. Paul on Sunday, March 29 at noon at Veterans Field in Minnetonka, Minn.
