Article

Mavericks Split With Peacocks

by Tyler Buckentine
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Mens Sports

If the Minnesota State baseball team could've taken a few of its hits from game one and added them to the second game of its doubleheader against Upper Iowa, they might have escaped with a pair of wins.

The Mavericks pounded out 11 hits in the first game as they edged the Peacocks 9-7. MSU (31-7 overall) managed only two hits and couldn't get a run across as Upper Iowa (26-15) took game two 1-0.

"We just didn't hit the ball well and we need to focus more," said Mavericks coach Dean Bowyer. "We need our seniors to hit the ball better than they have been. When you have the opportunities, you have to come up with the big hit.

"We have to use our hands and use the whole field if we want to become good hitters."

MSU had a ball at the plate in game one, led by centerfielder Zach Danelson who hit a solo blast over the right field fence to start the game. Rightfielder Josh Simon went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

"He has really been hitting well," Bowyer said. "We just needed to get him in the lineup because we have to play people that are hot and he's won that position right now."

Tyler Sander took the mound for MSU. The senior gave up six runs on five hits but managed to pick up the win to improve his record to 4-0.

"He changed from overhand to sidearm and it made him much more effective," Bowyer said. "His ball is moving and he has more control, which was his problem before. He's comfortable now and you need that for success."

Redshirt freshman Patrick Lenton got the ball for the second game, which turned out to be a pitcher's dual. Lenton gave up three straight hits in the fourth inning which resulted in the eventual winning run for the Peacocks.

"That's the best he's pitched," Bowyer said. "He was in control of his breaking balls and fastballs. He got burned a couple times by 0-2 pitches but you learn from that."Â

Lenton was solid after that, scattering seven total hits and striking out eight through seven innings, but he was outdueled by his counterpart, Marshall Rogne. Rogne allowed two hits struck out five and got the complete game shutout.

Kosuke Hattori's bunt single got the Mavericks in the hit column in the fourth inning and designated hitter Jay Bresnahan doubled in the fifth.

The Mavericks will host Augustana at 11a.m. on Saturday at The MSU Baseball Complex.

Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter Assistant Sports Editor