SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls baseball team battled in a midweek rivalry matchup against No. 15 Augustana but fell 17-5 on Tuesday afternoon at Ronken Field. Despite a strong offensive surge in the third inning that briefly swung momentum, the Cougars were unable to contain the Vikings' explosive lineup.
Sioux Falls (10-12) collected five hits and produced all five of its runs in a single inning, highlighted by a clutch swing from Brady Schafer and a two-RBI double from William Edwards. Augustana (19-5), however, responded with consistent offensive pressure, tallying 16 hits and capitalizing on defensive miscues to pull away.
Final Score(s):
- Game One: Augustana 17, Sioux Falls 5
How It Happened
Augustana struck early, plating two runs in the opening frame behind a solo home run and a run-scoring double to quickly grab control. The Vikings added four more runs in the second inning, using a combination of timely hitting and defensive miscues to extend the lead to 6-0.
The Cougars answered in a big way in the top of the third inning. Nolan Drossel drew a walk to start the two-out rally before Dominic Vogel reached with a bunt single. Edwards then delivered a two-RBI double to left field to get USF on the board. Mitch Iliff followed with an RBI single, and moments later Schafer launched a two-run home run to center, capping a five-run inning that trimmed the deficit to 6-5 and swung momentum back toward Sioux Falls.
Any momentum, however, was short-lived. Augustana responded immediately in the bottom half of the third, stringing together multiple hits and taking advantage of additional defensive opportunities to push across six runs and reclaim control at 12-5.
The Vikings continued to add on in the fourth and fifth innings, including another home run and a pair of run-scoring hits, stretching the lead to 17-5. From there, the Augustana pitching staff settled in, limiting Sioux Falls to just one hit over the final four innings and closing out the run-rule victory.
On the Mound
At the Plate
- Extra-base hits: Edwards (2B), Verville (2B), Schafer (HR)
- RBIs: Edwards (2), Schafer (2), Iliff (1)
- Clutch situations: USF produced a five-run third inning, highlighted by three straight RBI swings and Schafer's two-run homer
- Team totals: 5 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 0 hit by pitch, 1 left on base
Coach's Corner
"Was a tough one today. Jake didn't have his best stuff and was working from behind most of his outing and that's not a good recipe for success. Especially against a talented team like Augustana. But this was good for us. There's a reason I wanted to play them in a non-conference game early in the season. They've been one of the best teams in the league since I took over as Head Coach 10 years ago. It gives us a chance to see where we're at and what we need to work on. We'll be better prepared when we see them next time at the end of April. Hopefully we can use the next couple of days to get rested up and be ready for our home opening series against Duluth."
– Head Coach Grant Hieb
Up Next
The Cougars return to conference play this weekend with a home series against Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 PM, while Sunday's finale is set for 12:00 PM.
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