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CARY, N.C. --- Minnesota State scored three runs in the top of the first inning, but a four-run fourth frame from Southern Indiana eventually carried USI to a 4-3 victory Friday evening in the NCAA DII National Semifinals at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
 
The Mavericks' season comes to a close with an overall record of 48-11. The Screaming Eagles, now 48-13, will play Colorado Mesa tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET for the national championship.
 
Minnesota State pounced on Southern Indiana and senior righthander David Toth with three runs before the Screaming Eagles had the opportunity to bat. A walk to senior Todd Standish and hit by pitch to junior Max Waletich were followed by a RBI single to right-center from junior Nolan Johnson. Senior Stetson Olson backed it up with a diamond cutter that plated both Waletich and Johnson to extend senior righthander Jason Hoppe a 3-0 lead before he toed the rubber.
 
In the bottom of the third, Hoppe cemented his legacy as the greatest pitcher in Maverick history striking out the first and third batters of the inning to break the MSU single-season strikeout record.
 
Southern Indiana responded with four singles and four subsequent runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a RBI single up the middle by senior Matt Bowles, the Screaming Eagles pulled within one on a double steal as the runner from third just beat the throw home. Senior Caleb Eickhoff then pulled a RBI single through the left side that scored one runner and a Maverick error allowed the leading run to touch the plate putting USI up, 4-3.
 
A pair of one-out base hits by Olson and sophomore Taylor Branstad followed by a wild pitch had the Mavericks threatening the top of the sixth, but MSU was unable to push across the tying run. MSU had another opportunity in the top of the eighth when a USI throwing error placed Mavericks at the corners with two down, but junior righthander Matt Chavarria induced a groundout to keep the Screaming Eagles up by a run.
 
Chavarria induces a groundout to the shortstop with Mavericks at first and second in the top of ninth to fend off MSU's final threat and ensure USI's 4-3 victory.
 
Hoppe (11-4) ended with seven strikeouts against five hits and three earned runs in seven innings of work. Offensively, Olson led the way going three-for-four with two RBI.
 
Minnesota State has now secured a top-three national finish in each of the past three seasons.