WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Second-ranked Minnesota State picked up its fifth consecutive win Thursday morning with a 2-0 victory against Findlay behind strong senior performances at Chain of Lakes Stadium in the Mavericks' first contest at the Russ Matt Invitational.
Mike Andries pushed across the game's first runs with a two-out double to deep left center in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring Stetson Olson and Taylor Branstad.
Closer Chris Williams then struck out the side in the top of the ninth, securing the 2-0 win with his second save of the season. Taylor Nawrocki improved to 2-0 after tossing a scoreless eighth, while Finlay's Drew Hargrove took the loss despite fanning six against seven hits, two walks and two earned runs in 7.2 innings on the hill.
Minnesota State is now 6-1, while Findlay drops to 2-4.
The Mavericks will battle Saginaw Valley State twice on Friday, beginning at 9 a.m. ET.
