PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. – Freshman right-hander
Brandon Roesler threw his first career complete game to help the University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (2-12, 2-2 NSIC) earn a split of a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader with Bemidji State (4-12, 2-2 NSIC) on Sunday at Plattsmouth High School.
Led by Roesler, USF recorded a 3-1 decision in game one before falling 4-2 in the second game. In the four-game series, the two teams split doubleheaders both days with USF winning the opener each time.
On Sunday, senior centerfielder
Rob Johnson collected four hits in seven at bats with four RBI to lead the USF offense. In the four-game set with the Beavers, Johnson registered nine hits, including two doubles in 14 at bats for a .643 batting average. He had four RBI, a run scored, four stolen bases and three walks.
USF pitching was solid again on Sunday as they Cougars allowed just six total runs, 15 hits, recorded 12 strikeouts with eight walks. Aside from Roesler, junior
Spencer Dokken had another effective performance, allowing just four hits and a run in 3 2/3 innings. In two appearances this weekend, Dokken, who lowered his earned run average to 3.86, gave up just four total hits, one run and registered six strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.
Game 1 - Sioux Falls 3 Bemidji State 1
In the opener on Sunday, Roesler handcuffed the BSU hitters as he moved to 1-2 with his first complete game of the season and his career. In throwing just 64 pitches, the freshman allowed just two hits while recording four strikeouts and walking one hitter in the seven-inning career-best pitching performance. He outpitched BSU's Connor McNallan, who fell to 1-2 after allowing five hits and two earned runs over six innings.
Junior first baseman
Josh Rehwaldt had two hits in three trips and Johnson had a hit and two RBI to lead the offense.
The Cougars opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the first inning and added an insurance tally in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Cougars scored all the runs needed in the first inning as Johnson ripped an RBI single to plate Rehwaldt, who had singled and stolen second base. Johnson later scored after stealing third base and coming home on a mishandled throw by the BSU third baseman. In the sixth inning,
Dylan Gavin and Rehwaldt opened with singles and Gavin scored on an RBI groundout by Johnson.
Game 2 – Bemidji State 4 USF 2
In game two, the Cougars again had a solid effort on the mound but were kept off balance on offense by BSU starter Travis Carruth, who moved to 1-2, after allowing just six hits and two runs over 8 1/3 innings. USF threatened in the ninth and had two runners on with one out but BSU closer Jesse Palafox stopped the USF rally.
The Beavers had 13 hits but just four runs as the Cougars came up with key pitches in critical moments throughout the game. BSU scored single runs in the first, third, seventh and ninth innings.
Johnson had three hits and two RBI to lead the USF offensive attack.
Freshman
Alex Loosbrock (0-2) started and took the loss after allowing two runs and seven hits with three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Dokken had a solid effort in relief, going 3 2/3 innings and allowing four hits and a run with five strikeouts. Also working off the mound was sophomore
Keenahn Coyle who didn't allow a hit in 1/3 of an inning and sophomore
Jackson Olson, who gave up two hits and a run with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.
After trailing 1-0 after one inning, the Cougars evened the score as Johnson's two-out RBI single plated
Grant Lung, who had doubled to open the inning. In the third inning, Caleb Carlson doubled and Scott Litchy, who had three hits, a run scored and RBI, singled to score Carlson and break the tie.
In the ninth inning, the Cougars had a double from Gavin, and scored on a Johnson's double down the right field line. When
Connor Merriam was hit by pitch, USF had the tying run on base. But Palafox ended USF's threat by forcing a pair of fly ball outs.
Next, USF will travel to play an NSIC doubleheader with Winona State on March 24-25 in Winona, Minn.
