MARSHALL, Minn. — Minnesota State (25-8, 18-3 NSIC) powered past Southwest Minnesota State University (16-20, 6-18 NSIC) with a dominant 24–5 victory on Sunday at Legion Field.
The Mavericks erupted offensively, launching eight home runs and totaling 21 RBIs, while the Mustangs managed three long balls in the contest.
Minnesota State seized control with multiple explosive innings, highlighted by a seven-run sixth. The rally began with a walk by
Ethan Bowers and a single from
Logan Miller before
CJ Trask drove in a run on a groundout.
Louis Magers reached on an error that brought in two more runs, and a walk to
Cole Yearsley loaded the bases. RBI singles from
Charlie Schau and Bowers capped the inning, extending the Mavericks' lead.
The offense got rolling early in the second inning when
Jake Berkland launched a three-run home run. Magers and Yearsley followed with solo shots, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Minnesota State continued to apply pressure with disciplined at-bats and aggressive baserunning, including Bowers stealing home early in the contest. Although Southwest Minnesota found some momentum with a home run in the second inning, the Mavericks' offense proved overwhelming.
On the mound,
Daniel Zang started for MSU, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out five across three innings.
Nick Johnson worked 1.1 innings, giving up four runs on six hits, including two home runs.
Kaeden Guida settled things down with 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
Lucas Tolle and
Brady Nelson closed out the game, combining for one inning without allowing a baserunner.
Berkland led the way with three runs and three RBIs, including a home run. Magers had a standout performance with four runs and four RBIs while hitting two home runs, and Yearsley added four runs and three RBIs with two home runs of his own. Trask also contributed three RBIs and a home run.
"We had a big road series win." Said head coach
Matt Magers. "Our offense was electric, and eight home runs says a lot about how locked in we were at the plate. It was also valuable to get six different pitchers game action, our depth on the mound will be key down the stretch."
Minnesota State returns home to host Augustana at Bowyer Field in Mankato, Minn., on Wednesday, April 15, with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. CT.
