Pitching dominant, bats clutch in sweep over UMD

The Minnesota State Mavericks swept the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs this weekend in a series split between U.S. Bank Stadium and the MSU Baseball Complex.

In the first game of the double-header — played at the new Vikings’ stadium — the Mavericks came out with a 1-0 win. Brody Rodning threw an impressive game, claiming the win, going all seven-innings allowing only three hits, while striking out seven Bulldogs. Dylan Dresel was able to get Minnesota State on the board and score the lone run in the sixth inning.

Minnesota State earned a 2-1 win in the Friday double-header, thanks to Dalton Roach. Roach went a complete-nine innings allowing six hits, while striking out 12, improving his record to 3-0 on the season. Teddy Petersen was the first Maverick to cross the plate in the bottom of the third thanks to a single from Jordan Hart. Dresel scored the winning run after Noah Bluth’s double to left in the sixth.

The Mavericks continued the series Sunday afternoon in Mankato. Nick Blezer picked up his second win of 2017 after throwing seven innings and striking out 11 in the 3-1 victory. Luke Waldek hit his first home run of the season starting the scoring off in the second inning. After Minnesota-Duluth tied it in the fourth, the Mavericks answered in the fifth thanks to Hart’s single to bring home Eric Peterson and Tommy McDoanld.

Ricky Digrugilliers picked up his first win of 2017, throwing five innings allowing only two hits while striking out four. Despite the Bulldogs getting the scoring going in the second inning and putting up two more in the third, the Mavericks responded with 10 unanswered runs to win the contest 10-3. Peterson posted a total of two runs on three hits, while Waldek added two runs on two hits for the team. McDonald put up three runs on two hits in three at bats while Tyler Berg contributed two runs on two hits Sunday afternoon.

“Our guys did a great job competing all weekend long. We found ways to win against a good opponent and had different guys stepping up each game getting the job done. It was really good to see,” assistant coach P.J. McIntee said of the team’s performance.

“We are at the point in our season where we are playing six conference games a week starting with two good teams in Winona and SMSU so it will be a good challenge that I know our guys are ready for. We just look to continue to improve every time out and keep playing our brand of baseball” said McIntee.

With the four wins, the Mavericks improve to 13-4 for the season and 8-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play.

Minnesota State will head to Winona Wednesday to take on the Warriors at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. before returning home to take on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs Saturday at 1:30 p.m.