TOPEKA, Kan. – The University of Sioux Falls baseball team opened the 2026 season with a pair of challenges on Friday at the Steve Anson Baseball Classic, falling 9-3 to Washburn before dropping an 8-0 decision to nationally-tested MSU Denver at Steve Anson Stadium. The day featured two very different storylines—USF flashed fight and late offense in game one, then ran into a shutdown pitching performance in game two.

Against Washburn, the Cougars traded zeroes early behind a strong start from Jake Ammann, but defensive miscues and a decisive middle stretch swung momentum to the Ichabods. USF responded with two runs in the eighth to close within striking distance, yet Washburn answered with a three-run bottom half to pull away. In the nightcap, USF put runners on throughout the game but couldn't cash in, leaving 10 on base as MSU Denver used timely extra-base hits and a five-run seventh to secure the shutout.

Final Scores:

• Washburn 9, Sioux Falls 3
• MSU Denver 8, Sioux Falls 0

Game One vs Washburn

How It Happened

USF and Washburn matched pace through three innings in a scoreless start that featured quick outs and strong pitching. The Cougars broke through first in the top of the fourth when William Edwards singled and later scored on Brady Schafer's RBI single to center, giving USF a 1-0 lead.

Washburn answered in the bottom of the fourth, using a pair of errors to flip the game. The Ichabods pushed across three runs in the inning—each unearned—to move in front, 3-1.

The margin grew in the fifth as Washburn manufactured offense with baserunners and pressure. A walk, a hit-by-pitch, and multiple wild pitches helped turn the inning into three more runs, extending the lead to 6-1.

USF kept working and made a move in the eighth. Myles Rees opened the inning with a double, and Edwards delivered an RBI single up the middle to make it 6-2. Moments later, Mitch Iliff brought home another run on a fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 6-3.

Any momentum was short-lived, as Washburn responded immediately in the bottom of the eighth with a three-run frame that included a triple and an RBI double, pushing the final to 9-3.

On the Mound

• Jake Ammann: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
• Decision: Loss – Ammann (0-1)
• Bullpen: Austin Kemp (0.2 IP) allowed three runs in a pressure inning; Taylor Morrissette (3.1 IP) steadied things through the late innings
• Notable moments: USF struck out 10 Washburn hitters as a staff, but Washburn's middle-inning execution and run creation proved decisive

At the Plate

• Multi-hit games: William Edwards (2-for-4)
• Extra-base hits: Myles Rees (double)
• RBIs: Edwards (1), Iliff (1), Schafer (1)
• Clutch moments: Two-run eighth inning trimmed the game to three before Washburn answered
• Team totals: 6 hits, 1 walk, 2 errors, 4 left on base

Game Two vs MSU Denver

How It Happened

MSU Denver struck first in the bottom of the first, plating a run after a leadoff walk and a run-scoring single.

USF had chances early. The Cougars put traffic on the bases in several innings, including a key opportunity in the fourth when they loaded the bases with a single and two walks, but a pop out and foul out ended the threat.

MSU Denver added two runs in the fifth, using a bunt single and a well-timed hit to widen the gap to 3-0.

The game broke open in the seventh. MSU Denver strung together baserunners and delivered a pair of extra-base hits, scoring five runs in the inning to turn a close game into an 8-0 final.

USF continued to grind in the late innings, including a double and a hit-by-pitch that created another chance in the eighth, but MSU Denver's bullpen closed the door.

On the Mound

• Logan Anderson: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
• Decision: Loss – Anderson (0-1)
• Bullpen: CJ Sanders (1.0 IP) allowed four runs in the seventh; Zach Peta (2.0 IP) finished the game and limited damage late
• Notable moments: USF struck out 12 MSU Denver hitters, but MSU Denver's timely hitting and seventh-inning swing decided it

At the Plate

• Extra-base hits: Colin Gibson (double)
• Team opportunities: USF left 10 on base and couldn't capitalize with runners aboard
• Team totals: 6 hits, 4 walks, 1 error, 10 left on base

Key Cougars

• William Edwards – Collected three hits across the day, drove in a run in game one, and was one of USF's most consistent bats.
• Jake Ammann – Delivered a strong season-opening start, striking out seven in four innings while allowing no earned runs.
• Logan Anderson – Worked five innings with eight strikeouts in game two, keeping the Cougars within reach before the late inning broke open.
• Myles Rees – Doubled and scored in game one, helping spark USF's eighth-inning push.
• Colin Gibson – Posted an extra-base hit in game two and helped anchor the infield throughout the day.

Coach's Corner

"Obviously, not the opening day we were hoping for. I thought we pitched pretty well but had some lapses on defense that cost us. We gave away way too many free 90s in both games and that's the outcome you usually have when you do that. Hoping the offense can get on track the next couple of days so we have some confidence going into our opening conference series next weekend against U-Mary."
– Head Coach Grant Hieb

Up Next

The Cougars will take on Emporia State on Saturday, February 14 at 4:00 p.m. at Falley Field in Topeka, Kansas.

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