MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State (27-8, 20-3 NSIC) earned a pair of gritty wins over Augustana (28-11, 21-6 NSIC), taking game one 4-3 and game two 8-6 on Wednesday at Bowyer Field.

Game 1 – Minnesota State 4, Augustana 3
The Mavericks rallied in the seventh inning to secure the walk-off victory. After Augustana grabbed a 3-2 lead on a two-run home run in the top half, MSU answered immediately.

Jake Berkland and CJ Trask opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Cole Yearsley was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Louis Magers drew a walk to tie the game, and Charlie Schau delivered the game-winning RBI single through the left side to score Trask.

Minnesota State built momentum earlier in the game behind timely hitting. Brandon Vlcko tied the game in the fifth with an RBI double, and in the sixth, Yearsley doubled and later scored on Vlcko's RBI single to give MSU a 2-1 lead.

On the mound, Sam George threw six innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits while striking out three. Ben Irsfeld earned the win in relief, pitching the final inning.

Vlcko led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Yearsley added a double, a run scored, and a walk.

Game 2 – Minnesota State 8, Augustana 6
Minnesota State completed the sweep behind a decisive three-run seventh inning, capitalizing on patience at the plate with seven total walks.

After Augustana tied the game at 5-5 with back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the seventh, the Mavericks responded. Ethan Bowers led off with a walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Logan Miller. Berkland and Trask followed with walks to load the bases before Yearsley drew another walk to force in the go-ahead run. Magers added a sacrifice fly, and Schau reached on a single aided by an error to extend the lead to 8-5.

Yearsley also provided an early spark with a two-run home run in the third inning.

Mack Crowley started for MSU, allowing three earned runs over four innings. Daniel Zang earned the win with three innings of relief, while Irsfeld closed the door for his second save of the season.

Yearsley finished with three RBIs, while Trask scored three runs and reached base three times. Magers added three RBIs, and Berkland crossed the plate twice.

"We found different ways to win" said head coach Matt Magers. "We didn't allow them to have a big inning and that was huge." 

Minnesota State will wrap up the series against Augustana on Thursday, April 16 at noon CT at Bowyer Field.