This past weekend, the Minot State Beavers were in Duluth, Minnesota for a three-game set and took two games from the conference rival Bulldogs.

In the first game on Saturday, MSU won by a final score of 9-7. After a scoreless game through three innings, Minot State scored in four consecutive frames to close out game and earn the win. All told, MSU recorded 14 hits compared to 10 for Duluth. On the mound, RJ Martinez was credited with the win en route to a 10-strikeout performance. Martinez improved to 3-2 on the year while MSU closer Aaron Kern picked up his sixth save of the season.

Offensively, the Beavers notched three home runs in the game. In the fifth, first baseman Kaiden Cardoso homered to left center to drive in a pair of runs. In the next inning, clean-up hitter Nolan Monthei launched one over the left field fence to drive in two more for the Beavers. MSU’s last round-tripper of the ballgame came in the seventh as designated hitter Gunnar Kozlowitz hit a solo home run to center.

Saturday’s second matchup was also a high scoring affair as the Beavers came out on top 7-5 in nine innings. Minot State starting pitcher Dominick Parkhurst got a no-decision as it was reliever Branden Hatley who was credited with his second win of the year while pitching just two-thirds of an inning. Meanwhile, Trevyn Badger earned his first save of the year as he tossed four innings and recorded six strikeouts without allowing an earned run or a hit. Offensively, MSU recorded 10 hits compared to seven for Duluth.

With the game tied 2-2 after three full innings, MSU’s offense scored a run in the fourth and four more in the fifth to take command. After RBI singles from Cardoso and third baseman Tyler Wiltshire in consecutive innings, the big blow came from catcher Matt Malone who was responsible for a three-run blast in the fifth. At that point, the Beavers enjoyed a 7-2 advantage and led for the remainder of the game.

In Sunday’s third and final contest of the series, Minot State fell to the Bulldogs 10-5 in nine innings. Following a scoreless first, Duluth poured it on with runs in four consecutive innings to take a 9-1 lead after five. MSU’s offense posted three runs in the sixth, and one more in the eighth, but it was not enough. Duluth collected 13 hits on the day compared to six for MSU.

Of the six Beaver pitchers to appear in the game, it was starter Carson Tonini who suffered the loss, dropping his season mark to 0-2. He pitched two innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking a pair of batters.

Minot State now stands at 20-14 on the season with a conference record of 18-11. Up next, the Beavers plan to travel to Bemidji State for doubleheader action on Wednesday. Start time for the first game is slated for 1:30 p.m.