SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Despite a solid starting effort from Dylan Gavin, the University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (0-4) dropped a 2-0 nonconference decision to Rogers State (8-3) on Friday.

USF faced Rogers State for the first time in the NCAA DII era. It was the first of two games the two teams will play this weekend. The Cougars face Rogers State again on Saturday at 6 p.m., following a matchup against host Drury University at 2:30 p.m.

Senior right-hander Dylan Gavin (0-2) put together a second consecutive solid start as he worked 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with a career-high eight strikeouts in facing 29 hitters. Gavin lowered his earned run average to 3.21 and now has 10 strikeouts this season.

Christian Lazar worked 1/3 of an inning and did not allow a hit in closing the eighth inning. Freshman Anthony Reese worked the ninth, allowing one hit and recording a strikeout as the Cougars permitted just five hits. Both Lazar and Reese kept their season earned run averages at 0.00 with shutdown relief efforts.

USF had base hits from junior Josh Rehwaldt and freshman Grant Lung.

Spencer Bevins (3-1) tossed a complete game two-hitter for RSU. He recorded eight strikeouts with just two walks in facing just 30 hitters across nine innings. Brad Degnan had two hits and an RBI to lead the RSU attack.

Rogers State jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning without benefit of a hit. Gavin, who struck out six in the first three innings, allowed two hits and a run in the fourth as RSU took a 2-0 lead.