TUCSON, Ariz. — Senior Connor Hill racked up five hits to help propel the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers past the Bethany Lutheran Vikings 17-7 in 7 innings on Wednesday, March 5, at the Tucson Invitational.

Junior Devin Marton (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for MSU (3-2 overall). The right-hander went one shutout inning, giving up one hit, one walk and striking out one. Junior Anthony Disantis also pitched well, going two shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out four.

In addition to his five hits, Hill had three RBI to lead the Beavers. Junior Gunnar Kozlowitz put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, a walk and five RBI. Junior Shane Kary also chipped in for MSU, putting together three hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.

The Beavers scored in six different innings on the way to victory. MSU broke a 3-3 tie and took the lead for good at 6-3 in the second inning on Kozlowitz’s bases-clearing double.

Hill added a two-run single in the fourth, pushing the lead to 13-4, Kozlowitz’s solo home run to lead off the fifth made it 14-4, and Noah Gutierrez added a two-run single in the sixth to put the Beavers in front 16-7.

Colton Bagshaw’s RBI single in the bottom of the seventh scored Seungjun Song and ended the game via the 10-run rule.

Gustavus Adolphus 6, MSU Men 5

An explosive offensive output late was not enough for Minot State University (MSU) on Tuesday, March 4, as the Beavers scored five runs, but could not overcome Gustavus Adolphus Gusties and were bested 6-5 at the Tucson Invitational.

Junior Wyatt Toth (0-1) started and took the loss on the mound for MSU (2-2 overall). Sophomore Conner Meldrim was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going three shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking one and striking out three.

The Beavers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom of the first inning with the game still scoreless. Junior Shane Kary put MSU on the board with a one-out solo home run off sophomore Benny McDonald.

The Gusties (5-0) then rallied to score six runs and take a 6-1 lead before the Beavers got back on the board in the seventh. MSU scored three runs in that frame, buoyed by a two-run single off the bat of senior Connor Hill, which brought the score to 6-4 in favor of the Gusties.

MSU held the Gusties off the board before narrowing the gap to 6-5 in the ninth as Hill added an RBI sacrifice fly. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, though.

MSU’s highest-scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across. Senior Brent Riddle stole two bases in Tuesday’s game. MSU went 2-for-5 (.400) with runners in scoring position.

MSU pitchers faced 44 Gustavus Adolphus hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out ten. Shane Kary led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI.