Baseball sweeps doubleheader against Northern State

The Mavericks took two games on Tuesday to extend their win-streak to six games

John Laforest
Staff Writer

Minnesota State’s impressive baseball season continued Tuesday as they swept a two-game double header against Northern State to improve their record to 24-8 on the season.

The set of wins for the Mavericks gave the team their fifth and sixth wins in a row on the season, placing them third in the NSIC standings. 

Sophomore right-hander Jimmy Larson tossed a gem in game one of the doubleheader, as he recorded his third complete game of the season, giving up four hits and one run with nine strikeouts and one walk in the dominant pitching performance, improving his record to 4-3 on the season. His performance solidified the Mavericks opening game win.

The Mavericks offense seemed to respond to the performance from Larson, but could not get their offense going until the top of the fourth inning.

The Mavericks would add on to their lead, as junior first baseman Ty Buck and junior second baseman Teddy Petersen both got a hit that put runners on first and third with one out in the inning. Sophomore designated hitter Cam Kline then came to the plate soon after and bolted a three -run homer that put the Mavericks on 4-0.

Northern State put one run up in the final inning, as junior left fielder Chad Hinkle lifted a sacrifice fly and brought home junior first baseman Hayden Houts to make the final score 7-1.

The second game featured an offensive explosion by the Mavericks. The Mavericks won the game 14-1 going 8 innings. 

Redshirt freshman pitcher Jack Zigan looked sharp on the mound for the Mavericks in game two, going six innings in a bounce back start and allowed one run on four hits, while striking out nine batters. 

Freshman right-hander Kyle Nordby would then come in relief of Zigan, pitching a scoreless eight-pitch seventh inning that included one strike out. 

Junior right-hander Jon Ludwig pitched for the first time since March 1 and went on to strike out the side in the eighth inning.

The Wolves made their way on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning off a double by Houts that knocked in senior center fielder Justin Barrenche. 

With guys on base and no outs, Zigan forced a groundout and back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning with the Mavericks still ahead 4-1.

The Mavericks then had eight runs cross the plate in the top of the eighth inning that ultimately ended the game due to the 10-run mercy rule.  

Freshman Mitch Frederick singled and sophomore Jack Waletich was hit by a pitch to load the bases up once again. 

Junior Ty Denzer singled through the right side to bring home Kline and Frederick. 

Freshman Rob Meidl walked to load the bases before Hart lifted his third home run of the day and 13th on the season over the left field fence for a grand slam.

Minnesota State will host Upper Iowa in a four-game set Saturday and Sunday at Bowyer Field. Games are slated for noon and 2 p.m. for both days.

Header photo courtesy of Maverick Athletics.