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Cougars Split on Opening Day

Baseball USF Athletics

USF Opens Spring Break with 5-3 Loss to Vanguard

The University of Sioux Falls baseball team opened its five-game spring break trip with a 5-3 setback at Vanguard University on a sunny day in Costa Mesa, Calif.

The loss dropped the Cougars to 3-13 overall while the Pride improved to 10-11.

Sophomore Derek Fischer (2-1) was tagged with the loss for USF. Six pitchers saw time on the hill for the Cougars.

USF struck first, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first off VU starter Scott Simmons. An error and balk aided the visiting Cougars in the frame, as Jimmy Maxwell drew a two out hit by pitch and Damian Kardas reached first after an error at shortstop. Both runners advanced on a balk and scored on Dylan Dwyer's single to right field.

The Lions answered with three runs in their half of the first inning. An Eric Sanchez single put one runner aboard, and JT Truhett drew a base on balls from USF starter Derek Fischer. After Hank Yates flew out to put two outs on the scoreboard, Brandon Young hammered an offering from Fischer over the fence to give the Lions the 3-2 advantage.

The VU nine tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the second. A leadoff walk and back-to-back hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for the hosts, and Truhett slapped a two-RBI grounder that was recorded as a fielder's choice, giving the Lions the 5-2 lead.

Each pitching staff threw goose eggs for the following four innings, before the Cougars scored once in the seventh to cut the VU lead to two runs. On a 2-2 count, Brandon Madsen pushed a one-out single to short and later touched home on a line drive single by Austin Goodenow.

After a scoreless eighth, the Cougars tried to rally in the ninth as Keith Cutler tallied a two-out single and Ryan Fobes followed with a hit by a pitch to put men at first and second. However, Vanguard reliever Kevin Ponzo shut the door when he induced Goodenow into a game-ending ground out to third base.

The Cougars were out-hit by the Lions, 7-5. Dwyer was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk. Goodenow finished the day 1-for-5 with an RBI. Damian Kardas, Brandon Madsen and Keith Cutler each posted a single. Fischer allowed five runs on three hits with one strikeout and three walks in 1.1 innings pitched. Austin Burke tossed 0.2 hitless innings of relief and was followed by Noah Coleman (2 H/2 SO/2.0 IP), Brady Nolz (2 H/1 SO/2 IP), Andrew Christensen (0 H, 1 K, 1 IP) and Chris Nichols (0 H, 2 BB, 1 IP).

USF will face Cal State-San Marcos (14-11) tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. PST.
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Players Mentioned

Brandon Madsen

#15 Brandon Madsen

OF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Jimmy Maxwell

#27 Jimmy Maxwell

INF
6' 2"
Senior
Chris Nichols

#39 Chris Nichols

RHP/INF
6' 2"
Junior
Brady Nolz

#2 Brady Nolz

RHP
5' 9"
Senior
Austin Burke

#35 Austin Burke

RHP
5' 8"
Senior
Andrew Christensen

#25 Andrew Christensen

LHP
5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
Noah Coleman

#21 Noah Coleman

LHP/OF
5' 10"
Junior
Keith Cutler

#24 Keith Cutler

INF
6' 3"
Senior
Dylan Dwyer

#1 Dylan Dwyer

C/INF
6' 0"
Junior
Derek Fischer

#29 Derek Fischer

RHP
6' 2"
Junior
Ryan Fobes

#4 Ryan Fobes

INF
5' 8"
Junior
Austin Goodenow

#17 Austin Goodenow

RHP/INF
6' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Brandon Madsen

#15 Brandon Madsen

5' 9"
Sophomore
OF
Jimmy Maxwell

#27 Jimmy Maxwell

6' 2"
Senior
INF
Chris Nichols

#39 Chris Nichols

6' 2"
Junior
RHP/INF
Brady Nolz

#2 Brady Nolz

5' 9"
Senior
RHP
Austin Burke

#35 Austin Burke

5' 8"
Senior
RHP
Andrew Christensen

#25 Andrew Christensen

5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
LHP
Noah Coleman

#21 Noah Coleman

5' 10"
Junior
LHP/OF
Keith Cutler

#24 Keith Cutler

6' 3"
Senior
INF
Dylan Dwyer

#1 Dylan Dwyer

6' 0"
Junior
C/INF
Derek Fischer

#29 Derek Fischer

6' 2"
Junior
RHP
Ryan Fobes

#4 Ryan Fobes

5' 8"
Junior
INF
Austin Goodenow

#17 Austin Goodenow

6' 2"
Junior
RHP/INF