What Lies Ahead: Minnesota State opens the NCAA tournament Thursday as it plays Central Missouri in Claremore, Oklahoma as Rodgers State hosts the NCAA Regional Tournament. The Mules enter the tournament with a 34-15 record and finished fifth in the MIAA with a record of 25-12.
The Mavericks and Mules are no strangers to each other as they have played 28 times with Central Missouri owning a 23-5 record against MSU. The last time the two teams met was in 2024 in the NCAA Regional Tournament in Warrensburg, Mo., with UCM winning, 12-10.
The Mules are coached by Kyle Crookes who is in his 12th season with the program, owning a career record of 461-162 (.739). Senior infielder Chase Wilcox leads the Mules at the plate with a .370 average. Senior lefthanded pitcher Sawyer Allen is has appeared in 13 games - all starts - and is 6-1 with a 2.41 earned run average with 68 strikeouts and 15 walks while allowing opponents to hit just .203.
First pitch is slated for 5 p.m., CST.
The Rest of the Field: The Central Region is divided into to sub-regionals with the top-seed Pittsburg State hosting eighth seeded Arkansas Tech as well as fourth-seeded Northwest Missouri State hosting Augustana. Rogers State is the #2 seed in the region and opens against the seventh-seed Missouri Southern State as well as Minnesota State and Central Missouri. The the regional is a double-elimination tournament with the winner of each bracket advancing to the SuperRegional at the highest remaining seed. The games in Claremore will be hosted at the RCB Bank Sports Complex.
Regionally Speaking: Minnesota State owns an all-time record of 83-87 (.488) in 43 NCAA postseason tournament appearances, including a 71-72 record in regional play... The 44 appearances tied with South Florida for the most all-time... Under head coach Matt Magers the Mavericks are 38-29 (.567) in the postseason, including a 29-22 (.569) in regional play... The Mavericks have advanced to the College World Series eight times (1971, 1979, 1980, 1986, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014), finishing second in 2013 and third in 1980, 2012 and 2014... The Mavericks hosted the NCAA regional last year, the ninth time in program history they have hosted the regional and went 2-2... Minnesota State has never played in a regional tournament in Pittsburg, Kansas or Rogers, Okla.
A Historical Perspective: Minnesota State has played baseball since 1936 and owns an all-time record of 2085-977-7... The Mavericks have won 12 NSIC Titles (1960, 1968, 1979, 1980, 1981, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2021, 2025) and 14 (1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007) North Central Conference Championships... 1,706 of the Mavericks 2,088 wins have come under current head coach Matt Magers or his predecessor, Dean Bowyer (990-487-7; 1977-2008), including seven of their eight CWS appearances.
A Look Back: Minnesota State went 3-2 last weekend in the NSIC tournament. The Mavericks opened with a 9-0 win over Minot State behind a complete-game eight hit shutout from Mack Crowley... Minnesota State then beat Winona State 15-8 before falling to Augustana 10-9. The Mavericks fended off elimination and earned a berth into the championship game with a 6-2 win over UMary before falling to Augustana 6-4 for the championship. Senior rightfielder Cole Yearsley led the Mavericks at the plate last weekend hitting .421 with two home runs, a triple and a double to go with four singles. Yearsley also added seven runs scored and nine RBI. Senior catcher Brandon Vlcko hit .357 with a pair of doubles, three RBI and six run scores. Senior second baseman Ethan Bowers blasted three home runs last week and hit .353 while driving in six and scoring six. As a team, the Mavericks hit .317 with eight home runs and 11 doubles while opponents hit .265.
On the mound, senior reliever Ben Irsfeld worked in two games, picking up a save. In his five innings of work he allowed one hit while striking out three and holding opponents to a .067 average. As a staff, MSU struck out 26 while walking 15 last week allowing opponents to hit .265. The Mavericks boasted a 4.81 ERA last week.
Over Our Last 10 Games: Senior rightfielder Cole Yearsley is batting .405 over the last ten games to pace the Maverick lineup regulars. During that span he has driven in 13 runs, scoring 16, while pounding out 15 hits, including three doubles, a triple and three home runs. As a team, MSU is hitting .317 over its last ten games with 38% of its hit (38 of 99) going for extra bases. The Mavericks have 19 doubles, 17 home runs and two triples over that span.
On the mound, junior Mack Crowley boasts a 0.00 ERA in the last ten games, working 16 innings in two appearances, including one complete game shutout. He has allowed 11 hits while striking out 14 - and issuing just four walks - while holding opponents to a .208 average. Senior Ben Irsfeld has five appearances in the last ten games, working 11 innings with a 1.64 ERA while recording a pair of saves. Opponents are hitting .143 off Irsfeld in that span. As a unit, the Maverick staff holds a 3.75 ERA in the last ten, allowing opponents to hit .258. MSU has 66 strikeouts in that span compared to 31 walks.
Magnets: Minnesota State has been hit by a pitch 109 times this year, compared to its opponents 59. Sophomore shortstop Jake Berkland leads the way with 27 hit by pitches a mark that if the fifth highest in the country as of May 8. Over the last ten games, MSU has been hit 34 times compared to eight by its opponents. Yearsley leads the way with nine hit by pitches during the span, while Berkland has six and Vlcko has five. In MSU's 15-8 win against Winona State in the NSIC tournament, the Mavericks were hit by a pitch nine times, including five times in the eighth - three of which brought in a run with the bases loaded. As a team, MSU has been hit 109 times. In 2023, MSU was hit 116 times and since 2021, MSU has been hit 532 times, with the lowest total coming in 2021 (86).
Touch 'Em All: Minnesota State has tied the school's single-season record with 86 home runs, a record it shares with the 2025 team. Since 2021, MSU has blasted 359 home runs, with its lowest season output being 51 in 2023.
Baseball Stuff: Minnesota State has scored 60 or more runs in five innings this year, scoring a season-best 81 runs in the fifth inning... The Mavericks have outscored opponents 81-28 in the fifth inning... MSU is 21-0 when scoring 10 or more runs this season... MSU is 24-5 when they score in the first inning and 31-6 when they score first... MSU is 35-2 when leading after the sixth inning... MSU is hitting .287 off left-handed pitchers and .314 off right-handed pitchers... Opponents are hitting .267 off MSU's lefties and .230 off MSU's righties... The Mavericks are hitting .314 with runners in scoring position compared to their opponents .238... With runners on third and less than two outs, MSU is hitting a blistering .669 this season. The Mavericks have 170 two-out RBI to their opponents 61.
A Bit About The NSIC: For those unfamiliar, the NSIC plays their weekend series in three-game sets, the first day features a seven inning game followed by a nine inning game. The third game of the weekend series is also a nine inning game. The midweek series are a nine inning game followed by a seven inning game.
Honors, Accolades and Recognitions: Several Mavericks earned post season honors from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Sophomore CJ Trask was named the league's Newcomer of the Year while Maverick assistant coach PJ McIntee was named the league's Assistant Coach of the Year.
Junior left handed pitcher Sam George, junior right handed pitcher Daniel Zang, senior pitcher/first baseman Louis Magers, senior outfielder Cole Yearsley and sophomore shortstop Jake Berkland were all named First-Team All-NSIC. Junior right handed pitcher Mack Crowley, senior catcher Brandon Vlcko, and junior third baseman Charlie Schau were named Second-Team All-NSIC. Additionally, Vlcko was named to the All-Defensive Team.
Two Mavericks have been named NSIC Player or Pitcher of the Week this year. Berkland earned Player of the Week honors Feb. 17, while Trask earned the award April 27. Despite having the top three pitchers in the NSIC in terms of ERA, MSU did not have on pitcher earn Pitcher of the Week honors this season.
Crowley, junior Pambos Nicoloudes, and Yearlsey were all named to the NSIC All-Tournament team last weekend for their play.
Leaders of the Pack: Minnesota State senior Louis Magers is MSU's all-time leader in home runs (53), RBI (235). Sophomore shortstop Jake Berkland is the school's single-season leader in runs scored (85).
Who is Where: Minnesota State manager Matt Magers also serves as the team's pitching coach and is in the dugout during the games. Associate head coach PJ McIntee is the team's hitting coach and also mans the third base coaching box. Assistant coach Packey Casey is the first base coach while Tink Larson serves as the team's bench coach.
Start Me Up: Minnesota State leadoff hitter Jake Berkland has played and started in all 113 games of his career... Last year Berkland was the team's primary left fielder, while this year he's taken up residence at third base... He has yet to miss a game in his career... Is hitting .366 this season with 71 hits - 25 of which are extra base hits... Has coaxed 34 walks, been hit by a pitch 27 times and swiped 21 bases... Established a season-high for hits (5) and runs batted in (5) against U-Indy... Scored a season-high five runs against Winona State (4/22)... MSU's single-season leader in runs scored (82)... Lead's the NSIC in runs scored and is third nationally... Leads MSU with 24 multiple hit games... Has 14 multi-RBI games... Had a streak of 30 games earlier this season reaching base and has an active streak of 23 games... Berkland's older brother, Drew is a starting outfielder for Notre Dame, and his younger brother, Matthew is a senior at Wayzata High School and has signed a national letter of intent with Minnesota State.
Have A YEARsley: Sophomore rightfielder Cole Yearsley has played in 45 games this season batting .359 with 16 home runs and 65 RBI... Had a season-high four hits against Minot State (3/14)... Recorded season-highs in home runs (2) and runs scored (4) at Southwest Minnesota State (4/12)... Drove in a season-high five runs at Northern State (4/25)... Has 18 multi-hit and a team-high 19 multi-RBI games this season... Has 12 games where he has had three or more RBI.... In the midst of an 16-game streak where he has reached base safely... Yearsley's younger brother, Kameron, is an outfielder at John A. Logan College and is one home run shy of tying the all-time JUCO record of 40.
Up To the Trask: Sophomore leftfielder CJ Trask has played in 52 games this year, starting 50... Was named the NSIC Newcomer of the Year... Owns a .358 batting average with 15 doubles, two triples and 12 home runs... Has driven in 63 runs this year while scoring 49 runs... Had a season-high four hits at Winona State (4/22)... Drove in a season-high six runs at Sioux Falls (3/31) while scoring a season-high three runs at Winona State (4/22)... Had a season-high 14 game hitting streak earlier this season, the longest on the team... Has 17 multi-hit and 14 multi-RBI games... Has reached base in the last 15 games.
Sweet Lou: Senior first baseman/right handed pitcher Louis Magers has played and started in all 54 games this season... Son of manager Matt Magers... At the plate, he's hitting .291 with 16 home runs, two triples and 65 runs batted in... Has scored 49 runs... Registered a season-high four hits at Missouri Southern (2/16)... Drove in a season-high four runs against Minnesota Duluth (5/1) and scored a season-high four runs at Southwest Minnesota State (4/12)... Has 17 multi-hit games and 14 multi-RBI games... On the mound, he owns a 2-4 record in eight appearances, with a 5.34 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched...Has struck out 28 batters while allowing 16 walks and holds his opponents to a .232 batting average... Struck out a season-high seven batters against Bemidji State (4/6)... Minnesota State's only position player who also pitches... Magers younger brother, Wilson, is a starting pitcher for Creighton.
Schau-t It Out: Junior third baseman Charlie Schau has played in 46 games this year, starting 33... Is hitting .331 while scoring 30 runs and driving in 20... Had a season-high three hits at Winona State (4/22)... Had an eight-game hitting streak in mid-April and is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak... Has 11 multi-hit games this season... Has reached base safely in our last 24 games.
Can I Buy A Vowel: Senior catcher Brandon Vlcko has played in 46 games this season, starting 45... Is hitting .306 with ten home runs and ten doubles... Has driven in 37 runs while scoring 36 - all career bests as a Maverick... Had a season-high three hits at Northern State (4/24)... Drove in a season-best five runs against Jamestown (2/23) and scored a season-high four runs against UMary (2/27)... Opponents have stolen 29 of 38 bases against him this season...Has 12 multi-hit and ten multi-RBI games... Has reached base safely in MSU's last 14 games.
Miller Time: Senior centerfielder Logan Miller has played in 54 games this season, starting 53... He is hitting .303 with eight doubles and 24 runs batted in while scoring 41 runs... Recorded a season-high four hits to go with four RBI in MSU's against UMary (2/27).. Scored a season-high three runs against Winona State (5/7)...Has 13 multi-hit games this season.
Take a Bow: Minnesota State senior second baseman Ethan Bowers has played and started in 53 games this season... He's hitting .295 with eight doubles, nine home runs and three triples to go with 44 RBI... Twenty of his 57 hits season have gone for extra bases... Had a season-high three hits against Bemidji State (4/6)... Had a pair of home runs against Augustana (5/9)... Scored a season-high four runs against Winona State (5/7) and drove in a season-high five runs at Northern State (4/25).
The "S" is Silent; The Bat is Not: Junior Pambos Nicoloudes has played in 41 games, earning 36 starts, many of which have came as the team's designated hitter... Of his 27 hits this season, 11 have gone for extra bases as he has four doubles, a triple and six home runs... Has 28 RBI and scored 27 runs... Has five multi-hit and multi-RBI games...
Gannon the Cannon: Freshman right handed pitcher Gannon Reidinger has appeared in 12 games this year, earning six starts and pitching to a 4-1 record with a save... Owns a 2.34 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched while boasting a 22:8 strikeout to walk ratio... Opponents are hitting .231 off him this season... Pitched a season-high six innings against Minnesota Crookston (4/18) and struck out a season-best four batters at Southwest Minnesota State (4/11).
By George: Junior lefthanded pitcher Sam George is 7-2 in 12 starts with a 3.39 earned run average... Has pitched a 63.2 innings this year with 62 strikeouts and just 11 walks... Has one complete game... Recorded a season-high in innings pitched (7) and strikeouts (10) in MSU's win over Minot State (3/13).. For his career he is 17-4 with a 3.38 ERA in 40 appearances, 30 of which are starts... Has 166 career strikeouts to go with just 47 walks while opponents are hitting just .257 off of him.
Dan the Man: Junior right-handed pitcher Daniel Zang is 7-1 with a 3.12 earned run average in 13 appearances, including nine starts... He has also recorded a pair of saves... Zang has worked 52 innings, holding opponents to a .217 batting average while leading the team in strikeouts with 71... Has issued just 25 walks... Worked a season-high seven innings against Minnesota Crookston (4/19) and fanned a season-best 12 batters against McKendree (2/14).
Big Mack: Junior righthanded pitcher Mack Crowley is 7-0 in 11 starts with a 2.48 earned run average... He has worked 65.1 innings, fanning 51 while issuing just 16 walks... Opponents are hitting .230 off of Crowley this season... Pitched a complete-game shutout in MSU's NSIC Tournament opener against Minot State (5/6), scattering eight hits while striking out four – all on his birthday... Recorded a season-best 10 strikeouts twice this season (at Concordia St. Paul, 3/28 and against St. Cloud State (4/28)... In his three years as a Maverick he has pitched to a 17-1 record in 34 appearances over 136.2 innings... Has 119 career strikeouts and 39 walks while opponents are hitting just .266... His opponent batting average of .230 this season is a career-low.
Big Ben: Senior righthanded pitcher Ben Irsfeld has appeared in 21 games - all in relief - for the Mavericks this year and owns a 4-1 record and five saves with a 3.07 earned run average in 41 innings of work... He has 39 strikeouts to just nine walks and opponents are hitting .181 off of him... Worked a season-high 4.1 innings against Winona State (4/22), a game which he struck out nine... Over his four year career he owns a 5-2 record in 39 appearances with five saves... Has a career 3.82 earned run average with opponents hitting .215 against him... Has 64 strikeouts in his career and just 20 walks... His opponent batting average of .181 this season is a career-best.
Slick Nick: Freshman lefthanded pitcher Nick Johnson has appeared in 14 games, starting two this season and owns a 3-1 record with a 5.60 earned run average... He has worked 23.1 innings, allowing 11 walks while striking out 24... Opponents are hitting .274 off of him this season... Worked a season-high 8.1 innings in a 4-1 nonconference win against Augustana (4/16)... Also struck out a season-high six in that victory.
G-Unit: Redshirt freshman reliever Kaeden Guida has appeared in 12 games this year, working to a 1-2 record and a 4.19 ERA. In MSU's win over Winona State in the NSIC Tournament (5/7), Guida worked 3.1 innings, striking out four while allowing two hits.
