Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 RAPID CITY, S.D. - Playing their NSIC-opening games in a neutral site setting, the Northern State Wolves bounced back from a series opening loss to claim a 7-5 win in Game 2, earning a split with the 11th-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks Friday afternoon.

NSU moves to 8-8 on the season after the split, including NSU's first ever win over the Mavericks in 12 total meetings.  The Mavericks slipped to 16-5 on the season.  Both teams sit at 1-1 in the loop following the split.

MSU rapped out eight hits to NSU's four in Game 1, taking a 10-1 win in seven innings to open th day.  The Northern State offense came alive in Game 2, errupting for 13 hits in the historic 7-5 win.

Six of those 13 hits came from the heart of the order in junior Robbie Rocamora and sophomore Maurice Rodriguez.  The pair had three hits apiece, including a 2-run homer in the top of the seventh that gave the Wolves some breathing room.  NSU held a slim 4-3 lead prior to the insurance homer.  Minnesota State responded with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning, but Rodriguez came through again in the eighth with a sacrifice fly to make it a 7-5 game.

Northern State senior Nathan Nietfeld got the start and the win for the Wolves, throwing five complete and yeilding just one earned run.  MSU starter Jason Hoppe suffered his first loss of the season on the mound, falling to 4-1 despite racking up nine strikeouts.

The two teams will close out the season seires on Saturday with another doubleheader set, which begins at 11:30 a.m. (Mountain Time).

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box