Minnesota State, Mankato defeated Southern Indiana 5-1 on Thursday in the NCAA Division II World Series in Cary, N.C., to stay alive. The two teams will meet again at 4 p.m. Friday, with the winner advancing to Saturday's championship game.
Taylor Branstad was 3-for-4 with a two-run double for the Mavericks (47-10) who gave the Screaming Eagles (47-12) their first loss in the tournament. T.J. Larson pitched seven innnigs for MSU, giving up five hits and one run. Relievers Josh Matheson and Matt Geislinger each pitched one hitless inning.
Colorado Mesa and Tampa will meet in the earlier game Friday for a spot in the final.
