Article

MSU sweeps Upper Iowa

Plenty o' pitching

By Shane Frederick
Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — The speed guns popped up like spring flowers on a perfect day for baseball at the MSU Baseball Complex Thursday.

The guns, in the hands of several professional scouts, were aimed at the Minnesota State pitchers, as word has spread about the spring in their arms.

"They say we've got the best pitching staff in the Midwest," Bowyer said after the Mavericks swept a nonconference doubleheader against Upper Iowa.

Minnesota State won 7-4 and 8-2, getting wins from Matt McDonald and Jon Bjelland and a save from the scouts' favorite thrower, Kevin Dixon.

The victories give the Mavericks (13-8) a four-game winning streak heading into the North Central Conference schedule, when MSU hosts Minnesota-Duluth Saturday and Sunday for a pair of doubleheaders.

Dixon, a sophomore who was clocked at 94 mph Tuesday, retired all four batters he faced for his save in Game 1. He said he agrees with those who have high praise for the MSU pitchers.

"It's a neat situation," Dixon said. "I feel like we're getting good exposure. (The scouts) have come out to watch me, but it helps the whole team. It gives the guys on the pitching staff a chance to be seen.

"I hope a lot of guys get a chance to be drafted, not just me."

Andy Kreidermacher, who pitched one inning of relief in the second game, has been clocked in the 90s, and Bjelland had a solid four-inning outing, striking out four, walking one and allowing four hits for his third win.

"It's just great," said Bjelland, who transferred to MSU from Division I Butler and took a redshirt season last year." Even if you don't throw a lot, just being part of this team is awesome."

Bjelland got in some trouble in the fourth inning loading the bases with one out and a 4-0 lead.

After getting Tyler Warner to pop out, Bjelland gave up a hit to Scott Mason. One run scored, but MSU right fielder Landon Danelson was dead on with his throw to the plate, and catcher Jim Bombach hung on and survived a collision with Brad Baker for the third out.

"(Danelson) didn't catch the ball, but he made a great play," Bjelland said.

The Mavericks scored three runs in the bottom of the inning, getting a two-run double from Eric Austvold and a run-scoring sacrifice fly from Adam Sudbeck.

Austvold led off the Mavericks' first inning with a home run, and Kurt Buelke also hit a homer in the game. Scott Kemp went 3 for 3 with an RBI and scored twice.

In the first game, Cullen Bahn went 2 for 3 and hit a three-run home run in the third inning, and Ryan Greene went 2 for 2 with two RBIs.

McDonald pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one for his second win of the season.

"We're better than we were a week ago," Bowyer said. "We're not there yet (hitting-wise), but we're starting to play with a little enthusiasm and intensity."