MINNEAPOLIS – Southwest Minnesota State wrapped up its opening weekend at the Metrodome on Sunday splitting a non-conference doubleheader with the University of Mary, winning 7-3 in game one, before being shutout 4-0 in game two.

In the opener, SMSU opened the scoring as Elliott Serbus walked, moved to second on a balk and later scored on an RBI single by Jarred Carlson.

SMSU opened the lead to 6-0 with a five-run third inning behind three extra-base hits.  Tanner Neale started the big inning with a single and moved to second on a bunt single by Ben Korger.  Following a fly out, Brian Ness gave SMSU a 3-0 lead with a two-run double.  Serbus singled pushing Ness to third base, before Kyle Young made the score 4-0 with an RBI double.  Carlson capped the scoring with a two-run double to score Ness and Young and extend the lead to 6-0.

UMary scored single runs in the third and fifth innings to cut the deficit to 6-2, before SMSU added a single run in the sixth.  Jon Ellis started the rally with a walk and moved to third on a single by Ryan Engels, before Neale then laid down an RBI sac bunt to make the score 7-2.

The Marauders added another run in the sixth off of SMSU reliever Taylor Klingenberg to cut the SMSU lead to 7-3.  Landon Gacke came on in relief with one out in the sixth and ended the Marauder rally with a ground out and strikeout.  Gacke then closed out the game with a perfect seventh inning to seal the victory.

SMSU starter Travis McGlauflin, making his first career appearance, earned the victory, tossing four-plus innings, allowing two runs on four hits, with four walks, one hit batter and four strikeouts.

Carlson and Korger each finished with two hits, while Carlson finishing with three RBIs to pace the SMSU offense.

In game two, UMary jumped on SMSU starting pitcher Colton Smit with three runs on five hits in the top of the first and then added a single run in the second to build a 4-0 lead.  The lead was more than enough support for UMary starting pitcher Kyal Williams, who tossed six shutout innings with six strikeouts.

Jordon Kontz, Mason Schnaible and Jon Ellis each collected one hit for SMSU.

Smit (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing all four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and two walks.  Eric Giddings tossed two shutout innings of relief for the Mustangs, while Danny Thering and Ryan Ecalbarger combined to toss a scoreless seventh inning.

Southwest Minnesota State continues non-conference play on Wednesday, Feb. 27, with a doubleheader versus Concordia-St. Paul.