SIOUX FALLS – Despite a pair of home runs from
Connor Merriam, the University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (2-9, 0-2 NSIC) dropped a doubleheader to St. Cloud State (11-3, 3-0 NSIC) in NSIC play at Ronken Field at Karras Park. The Huskies defeated USF, 6-0, in game one behind stellar pitching from Cal Giese. Then, SCSU outslugged USF in a 15-13 decision in the nightcap.
Due to a recent snowstorm, the game was moved from Sioux Falls Stadium (Birdcage) to Ronken Field at Karras Park. The two teams will play at the same location on Monday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.
G1 – SCSU 6 USF 0
In the opener, Cal Giese (3-1) of SCSU was dominant as he shut down USF's offense, allowing just five hits in throwing a 6-0 seven-inning complete game shutout. He had five strikeouts and one walk.
The Cougars, which loaded the bases in the ninth inning before the rally was halted, received hits from
Josh Rehwaldt,
Austin Richey,
Noah Durkin,
Trevor Crow and
Gunner Peterson. USF didn't get its first hit until Rehwaldt's single in the fourth inning.
SCSU scored a single run in the first, added two in the second and then put up a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth inning to take the decision.
Zachary Miller (0-3) had his best and longest outing of the season, working 5 1/3 innings and allowing six earned runs on nine hits with four walks.
Chris Thompson finished up for the Cougars, going 1 2/3 innings with a strikeout.
G 2 – SCSU 15 USF 13
In the nightcap, USF had a 10-5 lead before SCSU rallied late to win the 15-13 slugfest. The Cougars totaled 13 runs on 16 hits while SCSU had 15 runs on 18 hits.
Both teams used a bevy of pitchers as USF used four pitchers and SCSU had six pitchers throw. Both teams had struggles shutting down the other side. Besides the combined 34 hits, the staff walked 16 hitters (SCSU, 9; USF, 7) and also hit a combined six batters (USF, 4; SCSU, 2). While 28 runs were scored, both teams each left 14 runners on base.
USF opened up a 6-1 lead after posting a three-spot in the third inning. After SCSU rallied within 6-5, the Cougars answered with a four-run fifth inning to take a 10-5. The Cougars then added single runs in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings. Meanwhile SCSU, scored twice in the sixth inning, three times in the seven and rallied to tie the game at 12-12 with two runs in the eighth inning. In the ninth inning, SCSU broke the deadlock with three runs off Thompson, who fell to 0-2 on the season after working 1 2/3 innings for USF and allowing three runs on three hits. He was the fourth pitcher used by USF.
The Cougars started freshman
Keenahn Coyle, who worked 3 2/3 innings and allowing four hits and three runs with three strikeouts.
Stuart Maes worked 2 1/3 innings and allowed eight hits and seven runs with two strikeouts.
Mitchell Lyall tossed 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
Offensively, USF was led by Merriam, who had three hits, including two home runs, with three RBI. He now has a team best four homers on the season. Rehwaldt, a sophomore first sacker, added three hits and an RBI while unior third baseman
Brent Jarvis had three hits and two RBI and junior centerfielder
Rob Johnson, three hits and three runs scored with an RBI.
Austin Richey had a hit and three RBI.
For SCSU, Miles Nablo (1-0) picked up the win after going two innings and allowing just one run. SCSU was led by Judd Davis with three hits and two RBI while Jackson Goplen had three hits and two RBI. Bo Schmitz scored four runs for SCSU.
