SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Sioux Falls Cougars (22-22, 18-12 NSIC) saw their momentum from Saturday's doubleheader sweep halted, falling 9-6 to the University of Mary Marauders (18-21, 14-16 NSIC) in Sunday's series finale at Sioux Falls Stadium. Despite mounting a spirited late-inning comeback and collecting 11 hits, the Cougars couldn't overcome U-Mary's 14-hit barrage.
Game Recap: University of Mary 9, Sioux Falls 6
The Marauders wasted no time, taking a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single. Sioux Falls responded in the second when Jackson Yeager's double down the right field line drove in the tying run before Ryan Gouldin's fielder's choice gave the Cougars a brief 2-1 edge.
U-Mary seized control in the third, erupting for three runs via back-to-back homers—a two-run blast followed by a solo shot—to claim a 4-2 advantage. The visitors extended their lead to 6-2 in the fourth with a pair of RBI doubles.
Mitch Iliff's sacrifice fly in the fifth trimmed the deficit to 6-3, but an unearned run in the seventh pushed U-Mary's lead to 7-3 after a Cougar fielding error.
The Cougars staged a dramatic seventh-inning rally when Ben Serie drew a bases-loaded walk and Isaac Bonner laced a two-run double, narrowing the gap to just 7-6. However, U-Mary created crucial separation with two insurance runs in the ninth via an RBI hit-by-pitch and fielder's choice to secure the 9-6 victory.
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Up Next
The Cougars (22-22, 18-12 NSIC) will travel to Yankton, S.D., to face Mount Marty University on Monday, April 21, 2025. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. at Riverside Field at Bob Tereshinski Stadium.
This non-conference matchup replaces a previously canceled game against South Dakota State, giving the Cougars additional competition before returning to conference play.
