Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Minnesota State scored a run in each of the first four innings to open a 5-2 lead and cruise to a 6-2 victory over the University of Mary in an elimination game in the NSIC tournament.

Six different Mavericks collected hits over the first four stanzas with four Mavericks registering RBI.

With the win, Minnesota State moves to 40-13 on the season. The win marks the tenth time in head coach Matt Magers 16^th year as coach that MSU has registered 40 wins in a season.

Senior rightfielder Cole Yearsley started the scoring of the Mavericks has he hit a one-out triple to centerfield before coming home to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore leftfielder CJ Trask.

UMary would take a brief 2-1 lead in the top of the second before junior third baseman Charlie Schau opened the bottom of the second being hit by a pitch. A single and walk loaded the bases for sophomore shortstop Jake Berkland who worked a full count before earning a free pass to tie the game at two.

Minnesota State regained the lead for good in the bottom of the third as senior first baseman Louis Magers blasted 53^rd career home run – and his 16^th of the season – off the light pole in right center.

The Mavericks added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth as senior catcher Brandon Vlcko dropped a double into shallow right field. On the next pitch, senior centerfielder Logan Miller doubled to left center field, scoring Vlcko.

The Mavericks then took advantage of three free passes as Yearsley was hit by a pitch and Trask was walked.  Magers followed by being hit by a pitch himself, scoring Miller and pushing the Maverick lead to three.

After each team went scoreless in the fifth, the Mavericks extended their lead in the sixth as Yearsley hit a one-out no-doubt home run over the rightfield fence, his 16^th of the year.

Righthanded sophomore Cale Haugen went five and two-thirds inning to pick up his second win of the year, allowing two runs while scattering six hits. Senior reliever Ben Irsfeld came in and shut the door, allowing one hit in one and a third innings while collecting his fifth save of the year.

Minnesota State plays Augustana Saturday at noon to open the championship "series" of the NSIC tournament.  The Mavericks must win both games to win the tournament title and the automatic berth into next week's NCAA tournament.