Box Score                 It took nearly 11 and 1/2 hours but the Mesa State Mavericks got the best of the Minnesota State Mavericks 7-4 at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud, Minn. Rain halted play at about 10:45am (CDT) and the game finally ended at about 10:15pm (CDT). Mesa State improves to 35-20 on the season and advances to the final day of the NCAA Central Region Tournament. 

                The Mavericks struck for five runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Colton Schoelkopf delivered a RBI single followed by a two-run double by Ken Evanson. Greg Anderson delivered the final blow of the inning with a two-run single. The Mavericks led 5-0 at that point.
 
                Minnesota State erupted for three runs in the top half of the fifth inning but Mesa State answered right back with two-runs of their own. Ken Evanson delivered another two-run double to push the Mesa State lead back to 7-3.

                Minnesota State tallied one run in the top of the eighth inning to cut the lead to 7-4 but Taylor Hamilton came in and shut the door and retired the final five batters of the game.

                Starter Dylan Evans twirled a gem, pitching 7.1 innings and allowed four runs (none earned) on seven hits, walked two and struck out nine tying his season high.

                Dustin Fackrell finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored. The player of the night was Ken Evanson who finished the game 2-for-4 with two huge doubles and four RBIs.

                Mesa State will now play RMAC foe Nebraska-Kearney on Monday at a time to be determined. The Mavericks need two wins tomorrow to advance to the NCAA College World Series in Cary, N.C. for the first time since 2009.