TOPEKA, Kan. – The University of Sioux Falls baseball team broke through for its first win of the 2026 season in emphatic fashion Sunday afternoon, rolling past Washburn 8-1 at Steve Anson Stadium. In a game that stayed scoreless through four innings, the Cougars struck for eight runs across the fifth, seventh, and eighth to turn a tight contest into a decisive finish and snap their early-season skid.
USF paired timely hitting with relentless pressure, taking advantage of Washburn defensive miscues while also delivering the loudest swing of the day—Mitch Iliff's two-run homer in the fifth. Dominic Vogel set the tone at the top of the order with three hits and three RBI, while the Cougar pitching staff overpowered the Ichabods with 13 strikeouts and limited Washburn to five hits.
Final Score: Sioux Falls 8, Washburn 1
How It Happened
The Cougars created traffic right away in the top of the first. Dominic Vogel singled and advanced to second on an error, and USF later loaded the bases after a walk and another free pass, but Washburn escaped the inning without damage.
Both teams traded scoreless frames through four, as Washburn threatened briefly in the fourth with a single and stolen base, only to see the potential rally end with a pickoff at first base and two straight strikeouts.
USF broke the deadlock in the fifth with a momentum-swinging two-out sequence. Vogel singled and stole second, setting the table for Iliff, who launched a two-run home run to right field to put the Cougars in front, 2-0.
Washburn scratched a run back in the bottom of the fifth, but it came with help. A triple put a runner in scoring position, and an error at third allowed the run to score, trimming the lead to 2-1.
The Cougars responded with a game-breaking seventh inning. Casey Sehr opened the frame with a bunt single, and Nolan Drossel followed with a single that turned into extra bases on an error, bringing home the first run of the inning. Moments later, another Washburn error extended the play and allowed USF to cash in again, and a fielder's choice plated another run to make it 5-1.
USF poured it on in the eighth. Two walks and an error loaded the bases before Vogel delivered a two-run single to center, pushing the margin to 7-1. The Cougars added one more on a passed ball to cap the scoring at 8-1.
Washburn managed a late baserunner in the ninth, but USF closed it out cleanly to secure the victory.
On the Mound
Starting pitcher: B. Baur – 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K
Decision: Win – Baur (1-0)
Bullpen impact: Eli Larson provided strong middle relief (2.2 scoreless innings), and Myles Rees handled the ninth to finish off the win.
Notable pitching moments: USF struck out 13 Washburn hitters and didn't allow an earned run, keeping the Ichabods off the board despite multiple stolen base attempts and early traffic.
At the Plate
Multi-hit games: Dominic Vogel (3-for-5)
Extra-base hits: Mitch Iliff's home run
RBIs: Dominic Vogel (3), Mitch Iliff (2)
Clutch situations: Iliff's two-run homer opened the scoring, and Vogel's two-run single in the eighth stretched the game out of reach.
Team totals: 8 hits, 8 walks, 1 error; Washburn committed 4 errors that USF converted into scoring opportunities.
Coach's Corner
"Our pitching was really good today. Brady had a great start and Eli was really good as well in relief. I've been preaching to my boys that pitching and defense win games and our pitching has definitely did its part this first weekend. We need to clean up some things on defense but it's early and that's what these non-conference matchups are for, to figure out what you need to work on before conference play. This should give our ballclub some confidence going into our opening conference series next weekend against U Mary."
- Head Coach Grant Hieb
Up Next
The Cougars currently have a neutral site series slated against the U-Mary Marauders on February 21–22.
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