USI comes back to win 4-3
 
GAME Score: USI 4, Minnesota State 3
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CARY, N.C. – The sixth-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team rallied from a three-run deficit to defeat second-ranked Minnesota State University-Mankato, 4-3, and advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship game at the USA Baseball National Training Center in Cary, North Carolina. USI sees its record rise to 48-13, while MSU concludes its season 48-11.
 
The Screaming Eagles play fourth-ranked Colorado Mesa University in the national championship game Saturday at 6 p.m. (CDT). USI will be making its second appearance in the NCAA II championship game, winning the title in 2010.
 
After spotting the Mavericks a 3-0 lead in the first inning, the Eagles rallied with four-runs in the fourth to take a 4-3 lead. The four runs would be all USI would need for the victory.
 
USI senior designated hitter Brent Weinzapfel (Evansville, Indiana) and sophomore catcher Ryan Bertram (Zionsville, Indiana) started the rally with a pair of one-out singles. Weinzapfel would score the Eagles' first run of the game on a single by senior third baseman Matt Bowles (Mt. Washington, Kentucky).
 
Bertram, who advanced to third on a fielder's choice by sophomore centerfielder Hamilton Carr (Evansville, Indiana), would cross the plate with USI's second run on a perfectly executed double-steal and cut the deficit to 3-2. Bertram finished the game with a team-high two hits, his first two of the national finals.
 
After senior leftfielder Brad Wannemuehler (Evansville, Indiana) walked on six pitches, USI took the lead, 4-3, when Carr scored on a single through the left side by senior second baseman Caleb Eickhoff (Evansville, Indiana) and Wannemuehler dashed across the plate on an error by the MSU leftfielder.
 
On the mound, senior right-hander David Toth (Danville, Illinois) weathered a rough first inning and won his sixth game of the season. Toth (6-1) allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out five in 5.1 innings of work.
 
Junior right-hander Andrew Mercer (Mount Pearl, Newfoundland) got the Eagles out of a jam in the sixth and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings before giving way to junior shortstop/closer Matt Chavarria (Carlsbad, New Mexico). Chavarria got the final four outs to earn his 14^th save of the year.

Coverage of the NCAA II National Championship Game, including live audio, video, and statistics, can be accessed through gousieagles.com.