Wayne, NE (NSUWolves.com) – After battling back to tie the series at one game apiece with a victory in game two last night, the Northern State baseball team dropped the series finale to Minnesota Duluth by a score of 2-0. The game was controlled by the pitchers throughout the contest as each team was limited to six hits with a combined three extra base hits, while Max Otto notched a career high 12 strikeouts and the Duluth pitchers totaled seven of their own.

THE QUICK DETAILS

Final Score: NSU 0, UMD 2

Records: NSU 7-15 (2-9 NSIC), UMD 12-13 (5-6 NSIC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jack Paulson tallied the first hit of the day for Northern State with a single in the top of the first inning, however the Wolves would be stuck searching for their next hit until Paulson returned to the plate in the fourth inning and collected his second single of the day
• Minnesota Duluth scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second as they had two players reach base on a pair of errors before an RBI single to center field brought in an unearned run to give themselves a 1-0 edge
• After giving up the early unearned run, Max Otto pitched three consecutive 3-up, 3-down innings in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, including striking out the side in the sixth
• Mitchell Tolk recorded the lone extra base hit of the day for NSU as he knocked a double to center field in the top of the sixth, advancing Paulson to third base after he reached on a fielder’s choice earlier in the inning, however the two would be left stranded in scoring position after a ground out ended the inning
• An RBI double to left field for the Bulldogs extended the lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning
• Max Otto suffered the loss on the mound in his sixth start of the season as he pitched his second complete game of the year and notched a career high 12 strikeouts in the game
• Northern State was unable to score off their six hits in the game and committed two errors defensively

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS

Mitchell Tolk: 2-for-4, 1 double

Jack Paulson: 2-for-4

Max Otto: 8.0 innings pitched, 12 strikeouts

UP NEXT

Northern State is scheduled to face Augustana tomorrow afternoon in a mid-week NSIC doubleheader. Due to the forecasted winter storm in Northeast South Dakota, the games have been moved to Wayne, Nebraska, for a pair of neutral site games at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Wayne City Field.