SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Cougars (28-26, 24-15 NSIC) split a doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul (21-28, 17-22 NSIC) at Sioux Falls Stadium, setting up a pivotal series finale tomorrow. The Cougars cruised to a 12-4 win in Game 1, while the Golden Bears held off a late rally for a 10-9 victory in Game 2. Jaxon Haase reached a milestone in Game 2, eclipsing 200 career hits with a triple off the left field wall, and Ben Serie showcased remarkable versatility by playing every defensive position, including pitcher and catcher. Tomorrow's game, the regular season finale and Senior Night, starts at 12:00 PM with senior recognition before the first pitch.
Game 1: Sioux Falls 12, Concordia-St. Paul 4
Sioux Falls racked up 13 hits and capitalized on four CSP errors to secure a commanding victory. The Golden Bears jumped ahead in the second, scoring four runs, highlighted by Kal Brohmer's two-RBI single. USF answered in the bottom half, with Mitch Iliff driving in an unearned run. The Cougars seized control in the third, scoring four unearned runs off CSP miscues, including Jaxon Haase's RBI on a fielding error and Iliff's RBI single. USF added a run in the fifth via Isaac Bonner's RBI single and erupted for six runs in the sixth, powered by Noah Christenson's RBI double, Iliff's RBI single, and Ryan Gouldin's three-RBI double.
Iliff led the way, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a stolen base. Dominic Vogel also went 3-for-4, scoring twice, while Christenson contributed three hits and an RBI. Myles Rees earned the win, throwing three scoreless innings in relief.
Game 2: Concordia-St. Paul 10, Sioux Falls 9
Game 2 was a back-and-forth battle, with CSP fending off a furious USF comeback. The Golden Bears took the lead in the second on Chase McQuade's RBI groundout, but Haase responded with a solo home run for USF. The Golden Bears surged ahead in the third, scoring seven runs, including Charlie Harms' three-RBI homer, Will Husemann's two-RBI homer, and Koby McBroome's two-RBI homer. The Cougars fought back in the fifth with Vogel's RBI double and Iliff's two run blast. In the sixth, Bonner's solo homer, William Edwards' RBI groundout, and Christenson's RBI groundout narrowed the gap to 9-7. USF tied the game in the seventh with Bonner's RBI single and Haase's RBI double, but CSP regained the lead in the eighth on Jeremy McGuigan's RBI single.
Haase, reaching his 200th career hit with a triple off the left field wall, went 3-for-3 with a homer, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Bonner and Iliff each had two hits and two RBIs. Ben Serie displayed extraordinary versatility, playing all nine defensive positions, a new position every inning, including stints as pitcher and catcher.
Up Next
Tomorrow's series finale, also the regular season closer and Senior Night, begins at 12:00 PM at Sioux Falls Stadium with senior recognition ceremonies beforehand.
