After seven consecutive losses, the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustang baseball team earned an 11-9 win over the Bemidji State Beavers in Tucson, Ariz on March 13. Jordon Kontz led the way for the Mustangs, picking up three hits and two RBIs. Kontz also recorded his first career save while pitching in the ninth inning.

The Beavers got off to a hot start, picking up three runs in the second inning.  However, the Mustangs responded with a quick six runs in the third inning. Ryan Engels jumpstarted the scoring run with a single and scored after a triple by Kontz. Brian Ness hit a single to send Kontz home, making the score 3-2. A walk by Kyle Young loaded first and second base. Jarred Carlson blasted a two-run double to empty the bases and give the Mustangs a 4-3 lead. Carlson then capitalized on a BSU throwing error and scored, making the score 5-3. Soon after, Ben Korger singled to score Sam Haas.

However, the Beavers did not go down without a fight. They scored two additional runs in the bottom of the third, and another in the fourth to tie the score at 6-6. A big fifth inning handed the Mustangs the lead once again.

Following a walk, Ellis scored on an RBI double by Haas. Two walks and one throwing error later, the Mustangs earned an 8-6 lead. An RBI single by Kontz increased the Mustangs’ lead to 9-6. A sac fly by Ness improved the lead to 10-6.

An unearned run in the sixth inning gave the Mustangs an 11-6 lead. However, the Beavers gave it their all to catch up, picking up one run in the sixth inning and two in seventh, cutting the deficit to 11-9.

Haas, Carlson, Ness, Tanner Neale, and Steven Kremer all picked up doubles, while Kontz and Mason Schnaible recorded triples.

With the win, the Mustangs improve to a record of 4-8-1 overall, while the Beavers fall to 4-7.