SIOUX FALLS, SD – A fast start for the University of Mary baseball team would not be enough as UMary fell 10-2 to #7 Minnesota State University, Mankato, to open the 2025 NSIC Tournament.

The Marauders (24-26 overall, 20-20 NSIC) will take on St. Cloud State University on Thursday, May 8, at noon at the Birdcage, where the loser will be eliminated from the tournament. The winner advances to play a second game Thursday night at the Birdcage following the 3:30 pm game.

Kalem Haney jumpstarted the Marauders offense, hitting a first pitch home run to right field to give UMary a 1-0 lead.

The lead would not last as a three-run homer gave MSU a 3-1 advantage. The Mavericks added two runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to take a 9-1 lead. MSU made it ten unanswered with a run in the seventh inning.

Luke Rhee got one run back for UMary in the top of the eighth inning when he smashed his first home run of the season over the left field wall.

Nathan Culley, the NSIC Pitcher of the Year, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pitch a complete game and secure a MSU victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Luke Rhee 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

Kalem Haney 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

Noah Hull 2-for-4

Isaac Pegors 1-for-4

Archer Blumenschein 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Chris Compton 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

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