The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Sports

April 16, 2008

MSU sweeps baseball doubleheader

MANKATO — After playing 10 games in 11 days and some important North Central Conference games on the horizon, the Minnesota State baseball team was a little concerned about its pitching depth going into Wednesday’s nonconference doubleheader against Upper Iowa.

After sweeping the Peacocks 10-7 and 2-1 in nine innings, the Mavericks just might have discovered that their bullpen isn’t so bare.

“Some guys got a chance to step up and see if they could do the job,” pitching coach Matt Magers said.

Head coach Dean Bowyer called it “on-the-job training” for the Mavericks’ young arms.

Freshman left-hander Danny Miller pitched five solid innings for the win in Game 1. He allowed four runs on six hits while walking five and striking out four. In Game 2, junior Matt Franke, a junior-college transfer who was making his first career start, allowed one run on five hits over seven innings before leaving with a 1-1 tie. He struck out three and walked three.

Nathan Kafka, who got the save in the first game, pitched the eighth and ninth for the win in the second.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, leadoff hitter Kyle Hoover hit the first pitch from Brad Mey and over the fence in left field where the wind was blowing out to win it.

“Hoover hits so many fly balls, and he had the wind blowing out,” Bowyer said. “When he gets his pitch, every swing has a chance to be a home run.”

Upper Iowa led 1-0 on Brett Cleveringa’s homer to left in the fourth inning. The Mavericks tied it in the fifth when Kosuke Hattori scored on an error after a hit-and-run play with Patrick Dockendorf.

In the first game, the Mavericks trailed 4-1 before scoring six runs in the bottom of the third inning. Ten batters went to the plate, and the rally was highlighted by a two-run double by Aaron Berner and an RBI triple by Miller. Berner added a solo home run, his second of the year, in the fifth inning.

The Mavericks (18-15) will travel to St. Cloud State for an NCC doubleheader on Friday and will host the Huskies for two games on Sunday.

Sports
  • GAC w hock2_3-21.jpg Gusties fall to Elmira, finish fourth

    The Gustavus women's hockey team lost to Elmira 4-1 in the NCAA Division III third place game Saturday at Don Roberts Ice Rink in St. Peter.

    March 21, 2010 2 Photos

  • Sibley E b hoops-50.jpg Bjorklund develops into inside force for Sibley East

    Marshall Bjorklund, a 6-foot-8 senior center, has been a fixture in Sibley East basketball since his freshman season, compiling 1,877 points, 1,274 rebounds and 381 blocked shots, all of which stands as program records.

    March 21, 2010 1 Photo

  • west sb prevu.jpg Scarlets unfazed by turnover of talent

    Vanessa Lloyd and Nikki Starkson are two key players Mankato West will look to replace the departed talent of all-state picks Ashley Veroeven and Ashley Goettl.

    March 21, 2010 1 Photo

  • Loyola sb prev.jpg Loyola looks to erase bad taste of last year

    The veteran players on the Loyola softball team remember well how last season ended. They had reached the final round of the Section 2A Tournament and needed to lose twice to be denied a Class A state tournament berth. However, the win never came as the Crusaders fell short of state.

    March 21, 2010 1 Photo

  • Sibley E b hoops1_3-19.jpg Heavy dose of Bjorklund leads Sibley East to 5AA title

    Sibley East rolled past Foley 76-57 in the championship game of the Section 5AA boys basketball tournament Friday at St. Cloud State’s Halenbeck Hall.

    March 20, 2010 3 Photos

  • David_Martinson_300.jpg Gustavus' Martinson named Player of the Year

    On Thursday night, David Martinson was awarded the Sid Watson Award as the nation’s top Division III player by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

    March 20, 2010 1 Photo

  • GAC-Amherst  1.jpg Gustavus falls to Amherst in national semifinals

    Amherst came out firing Friday at Don Roberts Ice Rink, gaining the advantage from the opening whistle and skating to a 4-0 victory over Gustavus in the Division III national semifinals.

    March 20, 2010 2 Photos

  • east softball prevu.jpg Experienced East looks to stay on top of the Big Nine

    Coming off of a 20-4 season, including a Big Nine title, the Mankato East softball team has big aspirations for the upcoming season.

    March 19, 2010 1 Photo

  • Home ice for Gusties in Frozen Four

    For the first time in the nine-year history over the NCAA Division III women’ hockey tournament, a school from the west region is hosting the Frozen Four, as the national semifinals and championship will be played today and Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus’ Don Roberts Ice Rink.

    March 19, 2010 1 Story

  • GAC w hock-17.jpg Hjelm follows in father's footsteps with hockey success at Gustavus

    Like her father Rick did 28 years ago, freshman Lindsey Hjelm helped a Gustavus hockey team reach the national semifinals.

    March 19, 2010 1 Photo

Featured Ads

Hyperlocal Search

Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide