MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota State (29-8, 21-3 NSIC) used a walk-off home run to secure a thrilling 7–6 victory over Minnesota Crookston (21-16, 14-11 NSIC) on Saturday at Bowyer Field.

Trailing late, the Mavericks delivered when it mattered most. In the bottom of the ninth, Charlie Schau was hit by a pitch and advanced on a wild pitch before Brandon Vlcko drove him in with an RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit. Moments later, Ethan Bowers stepped to the plate and launched a two-run walk-off home run to left center, capping a dramatic comeback and sealing the win.

Minnesota State powered its offense with four home runs on the day. CJ Trask put the Mavericks on the board early with a solo shot in the first inning, while Louis Magers added an RBI single in the third. In the eighth, Vlcko and Pambos Nicoloudes each hit solo home runs to keep Minnesota State within striking distance heading into the final frame.

On the mound, Gannon Reidinger gave the Mavericks a solid start, tossing six innings while allowing three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Brody Schulte provided relief in the middle innings, and Ben Irsfeld earned the win after closing out the game with a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two.

Trask led the offense with a home run and two runs scored, while Vlcko finished with two hits, two RBIs, and a home run. Bowers delivered the biggest swing of the day with his walk-off blast, and Nicoloudes added a home run and an RBI to round out the Mavericks' offensive effort.

"We were trailing the whole game and in the last couple of innings we were able to show what type of team we can be." said head coach Matt Magers.

The Mavericks wrap up the series tomorrow at Bowyer Field for a double header with the first pitch at noon.