It’s not easy to pinpoint one reason why this year’s Minnesota State baseball team has been so successful, but two key contributors to the No. 8-ranked Mavericks have been a pair of graduate players — utility player Ike Mezzenga and left-handed pitcher Nathan Culley.
Mezzenga, a transfer from the University of Minnesota, has been sizzling all season long in hitting at a .394 clip heading into this weekend’s three-game series at Minnesota Crookston. Mezzenga has belted 15 home runs while driving in a team-best 57 RBIs and scoring 50 runs.
“I knew they won a lot of games here so I was excited to join the team,” Mezzenga said. “It’s been a lot of fun so far. We’ve won a lot of games and are hoping we can keep it going. I am seeing the ball well and having a lot of fun with a lot of friends. We have a lot of depth and everyone sticks to themselves and does what they can do for the team. Everyone knows their role and we don’t make any moment too big or too small.
“We’ve stayed consistent all year and we expect to win. There’s a lot to like about this team. Everyone is positive and everyone has your back. Everyone wants to see one another succeed. I feel like I can hit to all fields with power and I don’t strike out a lot. We just need to keep it going by not looking back and just taking one day at a time.”
Culley is a perfect 8-0 with a 2.02 ERA in a team-high 49 innings pitched. He has struck out 65 and walked 13 while allowing opponents to hit .220.
“This group has a tremendous chemistry and we’ve jelled really well which is showing on the field,” Culley said. “It’s all about guys picking each other up and having all the tools to have a successful team. We have a really talented staff with a lot of experience and the biggest part is we’re having fun.
“Baseball is a long season so you have to stack good days together. We come out here and get after it every day in practice. We need to realize we can only control things we can so we can’t control the wind or bad weather. You just have to have a good attitude and go from there. We have a good core of seniors who are helping the younger guys and when a guy comes in here from a different school he adds value right away.”
While Mezzenga and Culley are a pair of key ingredients to this year’s talented team, head coach Matt Magers won’t downplay the roles of his entire roster.
“Mezzenga has been a great addition,” Magers said. “He’s a pure hitter who can hit the ball from gap to gap with power. He has a great approach and mindset which makes him a tough out for any kind of pitcher. He has the same approach every day and I think that consistency has allowed him to thrive for us. Culley is a great story after coming back from Tommy John (surgery) and being even better. His work ethic has put him in a position to be successful and set the tone for our pitching staff.
“We’ve got six guys that are 24-years old so that has allowed us to overcome some obstacles sooner than 19 or 20 year olds. We’ve also had some younger players step in and fill big roles for us. Now, as we approach the end of the season, we’re looking for that consistency in filling some of those platoon spots or spots in the bullpen. … It’s that time of the season to find that consistency.”
Junior infielder Matthew Fleischhacker is enjoying another fine year with a .388 average to go along with 41 runs scored and 25 RBIs. Other top players include; senior outfielder Zach Stroh (.371, 40 runs, 29 RBIs), graduate infielder Aidan Byrne (.380, 41 runs, 28 RBIs), freshman infielder Jake Berkland (.331, 40 runs, 23 RBIs) and junior infielder Louis Magers (.319, 40 runs, 50 RBIs, 12 HR).
Two other pitchers — Magers and sophomore left-hander Sam George — are both 4-0 on the season. Magers has posted a 2.48 ERA and George is at 2.79.