MANKATO, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul (15-17, 13-11) was swept in a four game series at #5 Minnesota State (29-4, 19-3 NSIC), dropping Saturday afternoon's doubleheader 8-5 and 10-4 at MSU Baseball Complex. The Mavericks extend their winning streak to 12 games with the series sweep.

The Golden Bears held early leads, leading 2-0 after the top of the first inning in the first game and 4-3 after a third inning grand slam by Connor Olson in the second game. Trevon Bargfrede also went deep for Concordia, a solo shot in game one.

GAME 1: Minnesota State 8, Concordia 5
After being shutout on two hits twice in a row in the first two games of the series on Friday, Concordia got on the scoreboard early on Saturday in the first game of the doubleheader and third of the series.

Concordia scored twice in the first inning without a hit as Andrew Shotwell drew a one out walk followed by Connor Olson getting hit by a pitch. They moved up on a wild pitch and Shotwell scored on Eric Fasnacht's RBI ground out to shortstop. With Olson on third base and two outs, Ryan Poppitz walked and was thrown out trying to steal second base but found himself in a 2-4-3-6 run down to allow Olson to score from third for an early 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, MSU countered with six singles and a walk to score five runs to take a three run lead.

In the second, senior Trevon Bargfrede delivered a solo home run to bring the margin back to two runs but the Mavericks tacked on two more in the third inning and another in the fourth for an 8-3 lead.

The Golden Bear offense continued to execute in the fifth inning as Kyle Dalton, Shotwell and Olson produced three consecutive one out singles wiht Olson's single to center scoring Dalton. In the sixth, Poppitz led off with a single, took second on a one out walk by Bargfrede before Alex LaPorte loaded the bases with a single through the infield. Dalton drew a two out bases loaded walk to bring the score back to a three run game, but the Golden Bears left the bases loaded and the Mavericks were able to close out the game in the seventh.

Seven different players delivered a hit for the Golden Bears with the highlight being provided in Bargfrede's first homer of the year. Eric Peterson and Max Waletich went 3-4 for MSU while Dylan Dressel and Kevin Kramer each drove in a pair of runs. Eight different Mavericks crossed home plate in the game.

After a rough first inning, Kody Knaus settled down for Concordia and worked a complete game on just 87 total pitches. He allowed eight runs on 14 hits with two strikeouts and a walk in six innings as he fell to 2-2 with the loss.

Aaron Rozek picked up the win for MSU, improving to 4-0 as he allowed three runs on two hits and two walks in four innings. Dakota Belter saved the contest, relieving Peter Gaustad with two outs in the sixth inning to end Concordia's threat. Belter pitched 1.1 scoreless innings.

GAME 2: Minnesota State 10, Concordia 4
Minnesota State's offense continued to put pressure on the Golden Bears in the series finale, scoring twice in the first and adding another run in the third inning for an early 3-0 lead.

But a third inning grand slam by Connor Olson gave the Golden Bears a 4-3 lead, their second lead of the day before MSU tied it in the bottom of the inning and went ahead 5-4 with a run in the sixth.

The score remained 5-4 into the bottom of the eighth inning when a two out error with a runner on base allowed the Mavericks to keep the inning alive and score five unearned runs with two outs to put the margin out of reach with just three outs left.

Olson's grand slam was his second home run of the year, giving him 22 RBI but it was the only offense Concordia could push across the plate in the contest.

Josh Lenz started for the Golden Bears and did not factor into the decision as he allowed four runs (three earned) in three innings on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Yuji Suzuki relieved Lenz and worked four innings while allowing only one run although he would take the loss and fall to 2-4 on the year.

Kyle Dalton and Andrew Shotwell set the table for Olson by going 2-3 and 2-4, respectively while Dalton also added a walk. Adam Hildebrandt also scored on Olson's grand slam.

Mitchell Bauer picked up the win for MSU, improving to 2-1 as he allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings with five strikeouts. Dakota Belter picked up his second save of the day and seventh of the year by working three shutout innings with four strikeouts and just two hits allowed.

Nolan Johnson and Dylan Dressel each went 3-5 with a run and an RBI while Luke Waldek went 1-3 with three RBI.