Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

MAUSTON, Wis. – Minnesota State, picked to finish second in the NSIC, used a pair of strong pitching performances to defeat Southwest Minnesota State twice on Thursday afternoon at the Woodside Sports Complex.
 
MSU won the opener 3-2 in eight innings and completed the sweep with an 8-1 victory in game two. The two games were scheduled to be played in Mankato, but were moved to Wisconsin due to poor field conditions.
 
In the opener, SMSU (2-8, 1-4 NSIC) opened the game's scoring in the first inning as Connor Johnson hit a one-out single and came around to score on a double by Jayden Fleck. MSU answered with a run in the bottom of the first to tie the game before both team's starting pitchers settled in.
 
Both teams struggled to put together scoring chances for the next five innings until SMSU had a great chance to take the lead in the seventh. Tanner Strommen started the frame with a single and moved to second with one out on a wild pitch. Following a strikeout, Robbie Smith reached on an infield single to put runners on the corners. A flyout ended the threat to keep the game tied at 1-1.
 
In the eighth, Nathan Kuhn lead off with a double, but a strikeout, a ground out and a pop out kept the game tied.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, MSU (11-6, 3-2 NSIC) used a two-out rally with a walk and an infield single before Jordan Hart hit the game-winning single through the left side.
 
Spencer Schroeder fired a strong 5 1/3 innings for the Mustangs allowing just one run on five hits with one strikeout and two walks. Teddy Broxterman (0-1) tossed the final 2 1/3 innings giving up one run on two hits.
 
The Mustangs finished the game with six hits, while the Mavericks pitching staff recorded 11 strikeouts.
 
In game two, MSU scored an unearned run in the first and followed with four runs, including three unearned in the second, to extend the lead to 5-0.
 
SMSU trailed 5-0 in the fourth, but had a great opportunity to cut into the deficit. Johnson doubled to begin the inning before Fleck was hit by a pitch and Jake Hendricks singled to load the bases. The Mustangs could only muster one run as Strommen hit into a double play to score Johnson, before Matt Bezdicek flied out to end the frame.
 
The Mustangs were held to just five hits with Johnson lead the charge with two hits.
 
SMSU starter Wes Sarsland (0-1) lasted two innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits. Spencer Rudnik allowed one run in two innings with four strikeouts, while James Hardy and Donny Schoreder each tossed one inning.
 
Southwest Minnesota State continues play at the same complex on Friday facing Winona State to start a three-game series. Friday's nine-inning game starts at 2:30 p.m., while the two squads will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12 p.m.