SMSU’s Jayden Fleck (12) high-fives teammate Ben Heichel after Heichel hit a solo home run in Game 1 of their doubleheader against the University of Minnesota Crookston Friday afternoon.

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State head coach Paul Blanchard recorded his 500th career victory as SMSU earned an 8-4 victory in game two of an NSIC baseball doubleheader versus Minnesota Crookston at Alumni Field on Friday. UMC won game one by a 5-2 score.

Blanchard, in his 21st season as head coach, has led SMSU to four 30-win seasons, one NSIC championship, three NSIC tournament championships and one NCAA tournament appearance.

“The number to me is insignificant; it’s not about that,” Blanchard said. “It’s about the players and it was nice to have one for a while and come out on the winning side.”

SMSU, now 14-32 overall, 9-24 NSIC, snapped a seven-game losing streak win the victory. UMC, which opened the day in eight place in the NSIC standings, is now 23-25 overall, 17-19 NSIC.

The teams conclude the four-game series today with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.

SMSU started the scoring in game two as Cole VanderBeek stroked a lead off double. Later in the frame with runners on the corners, a failed pick-off attempt by UMC pitcher Justin Yutrzenka, allowed VanderBeek to sprint home for the game’s first run.

The lead did not last long, as UMC answered with three runs on three hits and one SMSU error to build a 3-1 lead after two innings.

The Golden Eagles made the score 4-1 in the third with the aid of three hits.

The Mustangs quickly answered to tie the game in the bottom of third. With one out, Tanner Strommen and was followed by a walk to Derek Branson. Shane Sellner then launched a three-run home run over the left field fence to tie the game at 4-4.

SMSU regained the lead in the fourth as Liam Lopez reached on an error and was followed by a hit by pitch to Tanner Luebke. Following a sac bunt by Derek Smith, VanderBeek ripped an RBI single to left to score Lopez. On the play, the UMC left fielder misplayed the ball allowing Luebke to score and push the lead to 6-4.

SMSU extended the lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh using alert base running. With runners on first and third and two outs, Sellner was caught between first and second following a pitch in the dirt. On the throw down to second, Branson sprinted home and beat the throw to the plate for a big insurance run.

UMC put together a threat in the top of the eight, loading the bases via three walks. Shawn Williams closed the inning with a strikeout to keep SMSU with a three-run lead.

SMSU added another run in the eight, using four walks-the last to Sellner to score Luebke-and give SMSU an 8-4 advantage.

Blanchard said their key on the offensive end was getting some timely hits to maintain their lead.

“We were able to hit the ball well enough and had some timely hits to knock some people in,” Blanchard said. “There were a couple of mistakes that were made that we took advantage of, so the timing of it was pretty good.”

Chase Meyer made the start on the mound for the Mustangs and tossed 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts.

Erik Thorvilson (1-4) fired 4 1/3 shutout innings of relief to earn the victory, allowing just one hit with six strikeouts and two walks. Williams picked up his third save of the season pitching the final 1 1/3 innings.

Sellner and VanderBeek each finished with two hits, with Sellner recording four RBIs. Branson and Luebke each scored a pair of runs.

Jacob Butcher (6-2) picked up the victory for the Golden Eagles in game one, allowing one run on six hits with four strikeouts in five innings of work.

UMC put together three hits to score three runs in the top of the first to build an early 3-0 lead off Mustang starting pitcher Justin Clark.

SMSU picked up its first run in the second as Sellner hit a one-out single and scored on a two-out double by Jayden Fleck.

UMC added to the lead in the fourth on an RBI single by Anthony Stewart to make the score 4-1.

The lead moved to 5-1 in the sixth inning following an RBI single by Patrick Amerson.

SMSU’s Ben Heichel blasted a lead off home run in the seventh-his first collegiate long ball-to cut the deficit to 5-2. SMSU would later put a runner on first with one out, but UMC’s Zach Seipel recorded the last out to notch his 11th save of the season.

Fleck paced the SMSU offense in game one finishing 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Clark (1-7) lasted 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks. It tied for his shortest outing of the season.

SMSU’s six seniors will be honored prior to today’s doubleheader.

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