GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – No. 2 Minnesota State snapped a 1-1 game with two runs in the top of the seventh to earn a 3-1 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in game one of a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader on Sunday. MSU then completed the sweep using a nine-run third inning to earn a 10-4 victory in game two that was called after six innings due to darkness.

MSU took three of four games in the conference opening series for both teams. The four games were played at Sioux City North High School because of poor field conditions in Marshall and Mankato. MSU improved to 15-4 overall, 3-1 NSIC, with the sweep, while SMSU drops to 10-10 overall, 1-3 NSIC.

In the opener, the Mavericks pushed across the game's first run in the top of the third with a two-out RBI single to take a 1-0 lead off of Mustang starting pitcher Joe Axelson.

MSU would keep the lead until SMSU tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Jon Ellis started the rally with a single and following a fly out, moved to third on a double by Patrick Rients. Following a strikeout, Sam Haas walked to load the bases, forcing a pitching change by MSU. Tanner Neale then worked a bases walk to send home the tying run, but a fly out ended the inning with SMSU leaving the bases loaded and the game tied at 1-1.

MSU came right back to break the tie in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, Axleson hit a MSU batter to bring Brandan Alfson into the game. The Mavericks greeted Alfson with three straight singles pushed across two runs and give MSU a 3-1 lead.

SMSU, which finished the game with six hits, would get a leadoff walk in the seventh to Ben Korger and a one out walk to Ellis, but a pop out and a strikeout ended the game.

The two teams combined to leave 21 runners on base with SMSU ending the game with 10.

Axelson (1-2) took the loss for SMSU with 6 1/3 innings pitched, allowing five hits and two runs with six strikeouts, while walking three and hitting two batters.

In game two, MSU took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a solo home run, but SMSU answered back in the bottom of the inning. Alfson hit a one-out double to begin the rally, while Neale worked a two-out walk. Ryan Engels then drilled two-run double to give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead.

MSU countered with the decisive third inning to put the game out of reach. With one out, 10 straight MSU batters reached base, as the Mavericks scored nine runs on seven hits with four walks to build a 10-2 advantage and never looked back.

SMSU scored a single run in the fifth as Engels – who reached on a single – scored on a wild pitch, while in the sixth Rients belted a solo home run for his team-leading fourth round-tripper of the season.

Mitch Wurm (1-2) suffered the loss for the Mustangs, lasting 2 1/3 inning giving up all 10 runs on seven hits.

SMSU – which finished with six hits in the nightcap – were led by Kontz and Engels who both finished with two hits apiece.

Southwest Minnesota State will have next week off before returning to action on Wednesday, April 2, with a conference doubleheader at St. Cloud State.