After dropping the opening game 10-1, the Wolves came back to defeat the Mavericks 7-5 in game two. Mankato, ranked 11th in the NCAA Division II poll, had been unbeaten in league play so far this season.
"It was a great win for our guys and our program," said NSU coach Dean Berry. "I was proud of how our guys bounced back and battled. It was a back-and-forth game and our guys kept answering."
Northern pounded out 13 hits in the win, as Maurice Rodriguez and Robbie Rocamora collected three each. Rodriguez homered and drove in four runs while Rocamora added a double and each scored three runs. Clayton Nutting and Buddy Traxler added two hits each. Nathan Nietfeld got the pitching victory and Clint Manzo picked up the save.
In the opening game, Mankato pitcher Harvey Martin held the Wolves to just three hits, including doubles for Derek Tymesen and Rodriguez. Mankato, which had a pair of four-run innings, received four home runs among its eight hits.
"Martin could very well be the best pitcher in the league and one of the best in the nation," Berry said of the Mankato pitcher.
The two teams are schedule for another twin bill today, starting at 12:30 p.m. CST.
"We've got a lot of guys ready and available, and it will be another long day," said Berry. "They are a very good team. We have to come out ready to go. They are going to be ready to play, and we need to be ready as well."
Northern State 000 100 0- 1 3 0
Minnesota State, Mankato 410 410 x-10 8 2
Hayden Rovengo, Kris Keating (4) and Buddy Traxler; Harvey Martin and Nolan Johnson. 2B - Northern State, Derek Tymesen, Maurice Rodriguez. HR - Mankato, Parker Sullivan, Connor McCallum, Taylor Branstad, Todd Standish.
Northern State 000 130 210-7 13 0
Minnesota State, Mankato 100 002 200-5 10 1
Nathan Nietfeld, Clint Manzo (6) and Traxler; Jason Hoppe, Nick Sutherland (5), Tyler Sparger (8), Mahlon Zimmerman (9) and Johnson. 2B - Northern State, Robbie Rocamora, Trevor Sporrer, Traxler. HR - Northern State, Rodriguez; Minnesota State, Mankato, Johnson.