Submitted Photo Minot State centerfielder Brent Riddle makes a catch during the Beavers doubleheader against Bemidji State at Corbett Field on Tuesday. Bemidji State won the opener 5-1 and Minot State took the nightcap, 8-4. Photo by Sean Arbaut.

The Minot State Beavers baseball team started off its final week of the season splitting a home doubleheader Tuesday against the visiting Bemidji State Beavers at Corbett Field.

Junior Noah Madas and senior Grant Gabbert each hit a 2-run home run for Minot State (17-29 overall, 11-26 NSIC), which after dropping the opener 5-1, earned a split in the “Battle of the Beavers” with an 8-4 win in the nightcap of the NSIC twinbill.

Minot State now closes the season hosting Augustana on Friday for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. at Corbett field, then at 1 p.m. on Saturday for “Senior Day.”

GAME 1: Bemidji State 5, Minot State 1

Junior Oscar Pegg collected three hits, but Minot State fell to Bemidji State 5-1.

Senior Connor Hill (2-3) started and took the loss on the mound for Minot State. Sophomore Ayden Sauerbrei was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two.

Pegg’s three-hit day led the Beavers offensively. Junior Shane Kary compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 5-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the sixth inning. Minot State got an RBI single from Kary, scoring sophomore Kekoa Munos from second base. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

GAME 2: Minot State 8, Bemidji State 4

Madas and junior Jake Orthner each collected four hits to help lead Minot State past Bemidji State 8-4.

Junior Devin Marton (4-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Minot State. The right-hander went one shutout inning without giving up a hit, allowing no walks and striking out two. Senior Gage Eastlick also made an impact on the mound for Minot State, throwing one shutout inning while allowing no hits, with one walk and two strikeouts.

In addition to his four hits, Orthner had two doubles to lead. Madas added a home run and two RBI to his four-hit performance as well. Gabbert also contributed for Minot State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a home run, a walk and three RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 1-0, Minot State first put runs on the board in the third inning then scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run homer from Madas.

Bemidji State then rallied to score three runs and take a 4-3 lead before they got back on the board in the sixth. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Shane Kary, which evened the score at 4-4.

That 4-4 tie turned into a 6-4 Minot State lead in the seventh. Madas’ run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for Minot State.

Minot State held Bemidji State without a run before their offense got things rolling the next inning. Minot State scored twice on Gabbert’s two-run homer, bringing their advantage to 8-4.