SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Cougars (15-19. 11-9 NSIC) showcased their resilience and firepower Sunday, sweeping the Bemidji State Beavers (3-23, 2-18 NSIC) in a doubleheader at Sioux Falls Stadium. Behind Jake Ammann's masterful complete-game shutout in Game 1 and Isaac Bonner's historic cycle in Game 2, the Cougars delivered a statement performance to cap their weekend series.
How It Happened
Game 1: Sioux Falls 1, Bemidji State 0
Jake Ammann stole the spotlight in the opener, twirling a seven-inning gem to blank the Beavers and secure a 1-0 victory. The junior right-hander allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out 10, stifling Bemidji State's offense in a dominant display. Ammann (2-4) faced little resistance, retiring the side in order three times and stranding five runners to earn his second win of the season.
Sioux Falls scratched across the game's lone run in the sixth inning. Dominic Vogel got on base because of a Beaver error and scored on Mitch Iliff's RBI single, providing all the support Ammann needed. The Cougars outhit the Beavers 8-4, with Iliff (2-for-3) and William Edwards (double) leading the charge.
Game 2: Sioux Falls 16, Bemidji State 6
The Cougars erupted in game two of the afternoon, pounding out 22 hits—including a historic cycle from Isaac Bonner—in a 16-6 rout that ended after eight innings. Bonner, a standout second baseman, went 5-for-5 with five RBIs, becoming the first Cougar this season to hit for the cycle. His performance featured a second-inning homer, fourth-inning single, fifth-inning double, and seventh-inning triple to complete the rare feat.
Sioux Falls wasted no time, jumping to a 7-3 lead after four innings. Bonner's homer sparked a two-run second, while Jaxon Haase's three-run blast in the fourth blew the game open. The Cougars added four runs in both the seventh and eighth innings, with Haase (2-for-5, two HRs, five RBIs) and Ben Serie (5-for-5, four RBIs) delivering crushing blows throughout the contest.
Bemidji State countered early with a three-run second, fueled by Adam Falcon's two-run homer and Filippi's RBI single, but their pitching couldn't contain the Cougars' offensive onslaught. Derek Hoffman (1-4) took the loss, yielding seven runs on 10 hits in three-plus innings. Johnny Checheris (1-0) earned the win in relief for Sioux Falls, tossing two scoreless frames.
Up Next
The Cougars will host in-city rival Augustana Vikings on Wednesday, April 9th, with the doubleheader scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium.
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