DENVER, COLO – The University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (1-5) dropped a pair of nonconference games to Metro State (5-9) on Saturday (Feb. 29) at the Athletic Regency Complex. The Cougars lost, 14-4, and 7-6.

Game 1 – Metro State 14 USF 4
USF took an early 2-0 lead before Metro State had an eight-run third and five-run fourth and with one in the fifth took a run-rule game in seven innings. The Cougars finished with six hits, which included a double by Trey Hubers, who had a run and RBI. Connor King, and Jacob Binsfield had a hit and RBI. King also recorded a stolen base.

Andrew Maslowski (0-2) took the loss after allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. He also had two strikeouts in facing 13 batters. Jackson Olson (1 1/3 innings, four hits, six runs, walk), Drew Leonard (1/3 inning, two hits, run) and Sean Nussbaum (two innings, two hits, run) also pitched for USF.

 Game 2 – Metro State 7 USF 6
Despite a career-high four hits by Grant Lung and three hits from Ryan Bernardy, the Cougars dropped a close one to Metro State, 7-6.

After leading, 3-2, and 5-2, the were unable to hold off Metro State, which had a five-run seventh inning to take the lead and pick up the come-from-behind decision.
The Cougars had a strong pitching outing from Alex Krout, who worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed nine hits and four runs with four strikeouts. However, he did not take the loss which was picked up by Andrew Maslowski (0-3), who gave up two hits and a run. Matt Graham (1/3 inning, strikeout) and Payton Livingston (1 1/3 innings, two strikeouts) also worked for USF.

Lung had four hits in five at bats with two runs scored. Bernardy had three hits, two RBI and a run while right fielder had three hits, RBI and run scored as the Cougars recorded 15 hits. Catcher Tyler Blackburn added two hits. The Cougars also had extra base hits from Binsfield, Lung, and Bernardy.

USF opened the first with a run as King walked and scored on an RBI double by Binsfield. In the third inning, Binsfield singled with one out and moved to second on a Lung base hit. Both runners came home on a two-run double by Bernardy. In the fifth inning, Lung doubled and later scored on a single by Noah Buss. With a 4-2 lead, USF added a run in the seventh as Lung singled and late scored on a bunt single by Zane Butts. But then MSU pushed across a five-spot in the seventh inning.

In the ninth inning, the Cougars trailed by two and nearly pulled off a comeback. Bernardy opened with a single and later scored on an RBI ground out by Trey Hubers. With two runners in scoring position, MSU ended the rally on a strikeout.