Article

Mavs' Win Streak Hits 18

School record of 19 consecutive victories in jeopardy today as Mavericks host Winona State for pair of games at MSU Baseball Complex.
by Tyler Buckentine
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Mens Sports

This weekend, the Minnesota State baseball team got a taste of what it's like to be a guest in its own home, but it didn't have any negative effects judging by the outcome of its four-game series against North Dakota at the MSU Baseball Complex.

The four-game series was originally scheduled to be played in Grand Forks, N.D., but was moved to Mankato because UND's Kraft Field was unfit for play so the Sioux were still officially the home team throughout the weekend.

The Mavericks shut out the Fighting Sioux twice, 4-0 and 8-0 on Saturday, and completed the sweep by defeating UND 11-2 and 5-4 Sunday. The sweep of the Sioux gives MSU 17 straight wins - three victories short of setting a school record for consecutive wins.

"The pitchers got the job done this weekend," said MSU coach Dean Bowyer. "[Danny] Klous did a good job today. Secott and Bjelland were great as usual. If you throw strikes, you're going to win the ball game."

Seniors Dane Secott and Jon Bjelland each started for the Mavericks on Saturday, and each earned shutouts. The last time either Secott or Bjelland allowed a run was in a doubleheader against Clarion University.

Nick Gonzalez, Josh Simon, and Kyle Hoover homered for the Mavericks in the second game.

Six days after Secott kept a no-hitter alive until the sixth inning in a game against Minnesota-Duluth, Klous was unhittable in the first game Sunday until Andrew Gudmunson led the fifth inning off with a single up the middle. Klous pitched through the sixth inning, scattering six hits and giving up a pair of runs.

MSU finished the game with seven hits - less than its run total. Catcher Pat Ottum belted a two-run home run over the left field fence to cap an 11-2 win.

The Sioux showed its first signs of offensive life in the final game of the series. UND trailed 4-3 until the top of the seventh when Hoover drove in Kosuke Hattori to give the Mavericks a 5-3 lead.

Mavericks closer Nick Fellman gave up a run in the bottom half of the inning, but was able to nail his ninth save of the season.

"We put the ball in play and they made some errors," Bowyer said. "We were able to take advantage and score some runs. Our hitting is good, but it's not where it needs to be yet.

"The key for us is pitching and good defense. Make them hit the ball and our defense will make the play. Right now, our pitching and defense couldn't get much better."

Designated hitter Jay Bresnahan paced MSU at the plate this weekend, going 7-for-13 including a 4-for-4 performance in the second game Sunday.

"Bresnahan was our big hitter this weekend. He's really been hitting the heck out of the ball lately," Bowyer said.

The Mavericks (26-4 overall, 7-0 North Central Conference) return to action today with a doubleheader against Winona State at 2 p.m. at the MSU Baseball Complex.

Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter Assistant Sports Editor