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  • Minnesota State pitcher Tyler Ockuly delivers a pitch during their NCAA Division II Central Region baseball tournament game Thursday. Pat Christman

    MSU basebl2_5-18.jpg

  • Minnesota State's Pat Dockendorf tags out Regis baserunner Steven Brault as he tries to steal third during the second inning of their NCAA Division II Central Region baseball game Thursday at Franklin Rogers Park. Pat Christman

    MSU basebl1_5-18.jpg

May 17, 2012

Ockuly, Mavericks slip past Regis in tourney

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Tyler Ockuly was just a couple days old when Jack Morris pitched the memorable 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.

But he’d heard plenty of stories about the former Twins pitcher.

On Thursday, he did his best Morris impression in a 1-0, 10-inning victory over Regis University in the opening round of the Central Region baseball tournament at Franklin Rogers Park.

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” said Ockuly. a sophomore who was 5-3 with a 3.20 earned-run average coming into the game. “I give (catcher Nolan Johnson) a lot of credit for keeping me focused, and he called a great game.”

Ockuly allowed only five hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts, throwing 152 pitches with 101 strikes. It was his best outing since April 11 when he pitched eight shutout innings against Wayne State.

It was something of a surprise that he started Thursday’s game, given that Harvey Martin has been the No. 1 starter for most of the season. But Martin has pitched a lot lately, and coach Matt Magers was looking for a fresh arm.

“The last two weeks, Tyler has really been improving,” Magers said. “He’s such a competitor. He was a linebacker in high school so he has that competitive mentality.”

Ockuly had only three 1-2-3 innings, though only two runners made it to third base. He was struggling some in the bottom of the 10th, with a runner on third, but he struck out the final batter, which was going to be his last either way.

“Obviously, I was tired, but I felt strong,” Ockuly said. “The eighth, ninth and 10th innings, you just get by on adrenaline.”

Meanwhile, Regis’ Charlie Henderson was just as effective. He gave up six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts, throwing 125 pitches with 80 strikes.

The Mavericks didn’t get a runner to third base until the bottom of the 10th. Connor McCallum led off with his fourth single, and Jeremy Sudbeck put down a sacrifice bunt. Johnson bounced out to first, allowing McCallum to take third.

Lucas Skjefte, who hadn’t had many good swings in the first four at-bats, smacked a liner between first and second. The Regis first baseman made an unbelievable diving stop, but he was unable to throw to first in time to get Skjefte as McCallum scored the only run.

“Lucas started the season real strong, but it’s hard to go all season without struggling sometime,” Magers said. “That was a really good at-bat because he fouled off some good pitches, then he put a good swing on a tough pitch.”

The run allowed Ockuly to get the victory, and Magers is old enough to have thoughts of Jack Morris.

“He had that stretch in the seventh or eight inning when he struck out three or four guys so he was strong,” Magers said. “I went out there to talk with him in the 10th because I wanted to see how he felt. He just said `I feel great.’ ”

The Mavericks (45-10) play Colorado Mesa at 3:30 p.m. today at Franklin Rogers Park. Regis takes on Winona State at noon today in an elimination game.

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