Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

MARSHALL, Minn. – Minnesota State pushed its winning streak to 15 games by completing a four-game series sweep over Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday at Alumni Field. MSU won the opener 24-3 and then pulled away late to earn a 7-1 victory in game two.
 
MSU (19-4, 14-0 NSIC) won two tight games over SMSU on Saturday in Mankato, winning 2-0 and 2-1 in 11 innings.
 
SMSU, which has been held to three or less runs in its last 10 games, falls to 7-13 overall, 2-8 NSIC.
 
In game one, SMSU struck first pushing across a run in the second inning. Derek Branson started the rally with a walk and moved to third on a hit-and-run single by Shane Sellner. Branson would score moments later as Liam Lopez laid down a sac bunt that was mishandled by the Mavericks' catcher to give SMSU a 1-0 lead.
 
The lead did not last long as MSU answered with a big third inning, scoring six runs on seven hits to chase SMSU starter Justin Clark.
 
SMSU countered with a run in the fourth on an RBI single by Ben Heichel to score Branson and make the score 6-2.
 
But MSU put the game away with a 10-run fifth inning and an eight-run sixth inning.
 
Lopez belted a solo home run in the sixth inning for SMSU's final run of the contest.
 
Clark (0-3) allowed six runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings with one strikeout and one walk.
 
In game two, MSU used a two-out RBI single to take a 1-0 lead in the first off SMSU starter Cole Petersen.
 
The Mavericks added to the lead in the third inning, taking advantage of an SMSU error to score a pair of unearned runs and build a 3-0 advantage.
 
Davis Bryan was solid out of the bullpen for SMSU to keep the game close. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing a run on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
 
Bryan's lone run allowed was a solo home in the sixth to give MSU a 4-0 lead.
 
SMSU put together a scoring threat in the seventh, loading the bases with a double by Shane Sellner and a pair of walks, but a ground out closed the inning to keep MSU with a four-run cushion.
 
SMSU finally broke through in the eighth as Lopez ripped an RBI double down the left field line to score Cole VanderBeek and bring the tying run to the plate. MSU's Bryce Collins entered the contest and recorded a ground out to keep the Mavericks with a 4-1 lead.
 
MSU added insurance runs in the ninth, scoring three run without a base hit, taking advantage of two walks and a hit by pitch.
 
Petersen (4-1) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.  
 
SMSU out-hit MSU 10-6 in game two with VanderBeek, Sellner and Tanner Strommen all collecting two hits each.
 
Southwest Minnesota State continues NSIC play on Wednesday afternoon with a doubleheader at Minnesota Duluth.