GAME ONE BOX
GAME TWO BOX

MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State, ranked in the Top 30 in two national polls, cracked out 13 hits and took advantage of nine Southwest Minnesota State errors in game one, then rallied from a 2-0 deficit and blew open a close game with six runs in the sixth inning in game two, to complete a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader sweep on Thursday in Mankato.

MSU (20-6, 9-1 NSIC) won 11-1 in game one and took game two 8-2.

In the opener, SMSU's (8-8, 4-2 NSIC) lone run came on Derick Swenson's team-leading fourth home run of the season in the third inning.  Andrew Kinney, Matt Bauer and Tyler Jendro also had base hits for the Mustangs.

The Mavericks held a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth inning, but put the game away scoring four runs in the sixth and then three more in the seventh to end the game via 10-run rule.

Mustang starter Brad Haag suffered the loss and drops to 2-2 on the season.  Haag pitched six innings, allowing eight runs, six earned, on 12 hits, while striking out four and walking two.

Pat Lenton moved to 6-2 for MSU tossing the complete game with five strikeouts and no walk, while allowing just four hits.

In game two, SMSU scored the game's first run as Swenson and Brian Ness lead off the game with singles, before Swenson came around to score on a ground out by Tyler Fayden. 

SMSU scored again in the third as Cody Curry smacked a two-out single to score Matt Bauer and give SMSU a 2-0 lead.

The Mavericks tied the game in the third, then took its first lead of the game in the fifth with its own two out rally.  After striking out the first two batters of the inning, Mustang starter Adam Schrader allowed a double and single to plate another run and give MSU a 3-2 lead.

MSU then used some more late inning offense in the sixth inning, scoring five runs, capped by a grand slam by Ben Kincaid. 

Schrader dropped to 1-3 on the season, allowing three runs on five hits in 4.2 innings, with four strikeouts and three walks.

Curry and Swenson led the SMSU offense with two hits apiece.

The two teams will conclude the four-game series tomorrow in Marshall at Alumni Field starting at 1:30 p.m.  It will be the home opener for SMSU.