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University of Sioux Falls Athletics

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Scoreboard

Justin Johnson gets set to receive a pitch
Jurgens Photography
8
Winner Augustana (SD) AUGIE 31-12
6
Sioux Falls USF 22-20
Winner
Augustana (SD) AUGIE
31-12
8
Final
6
Sioux Falls USF
22-20
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Augustana (SD) AUGIE 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 3 0 8 9 2
Sioux Falls USF 0 1 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 6 6 2

W: Sutton, J. (3-0) L: Larson, Eli (1-3) S: Diedrich, A. (4)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Clint Neumann

Late Eighth-Inning Push Lifts the Vikings Past USF

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls baseball team went toe-to-toe with Augustana on Friday night at Sioux Falls Stadium, but a late three-run eighth inning lifted the Vikings past the Cougars, 8-6, in the opening game of the weekend series.

USF battled back from an early 3-0 deficit, took a 5-4 lead in the fourth and moved back in front 6-5 in the seventh, but Augustana answered each time. The Cougars drew 11 walks and had multiple chances throughout the night, while Brady Schafer powered the offense with a solo home run, an RBI walk and a seventh-inning double that helped USF reclaim the lead.

Final Score

  • Augustana 8, Sioux Falls 6

How It Happened

Augustana opened the game with a run in the first and added two more in the second, taking advantage of an error and a bases-loaded walk before an RBI single pushed the Vikings ahead 3-0.

USF responded immediately in the bottom of the second when Schafer launched a solo home run to right field, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The Cougars kept the momentum going in the third, using a walk to Casey Sehr, a bunt single from Nolan Drossel and an Augustana error to load the bases. Mitch Iliff drew a walk to bring in one run, and Schafer followed with another bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 3-3.

Augustana regained the lead in the fourth after a leadoff walk, stolen base and throwing error helped set up a go-ahead run. Sioux Falls answered right back in the bottom half. Justin Johnson and Cullen Verville walked to open the inning, and Dominic Vogel singled to load the bases. William Edwards delivered one of the night's biggest swings, sending a two-run single to right field to give USF its first lead at 5-4.

The Cougars held that lead through the sixth, with Zach Peta working a clean frame after Logan Anderson battled through five innings. Augustana tied the game in the seventh on an RBI triple, but USF again punched back in the bottom half. Edwards walked, Iliff followed with another walk, and Schafer doubled to right center. After a pair of outs on the basepaths, Miller and Johnson were hit by pitches to load the bases before Verville drew a walk to bring home Schafer and put USF in front 6-5.

The Vikings delivered the decisive push in the eighth. A leadoff single, sacrifice bunt, wild pitch, walk, RBI triple and sacrifice fly turned the one-run USF lead into an 8-6 Augustana advantage. The Cougars brought the tying run to the plate in both the eighth and ninth, but Augustana's bullpen closed out the final two innings.

On the Mound

  • Starting pitcher: Logan Anderson — 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 4 K
  • Decision: Eli Larson took the loss, moving to 1-3.
  • Bullpen impact: Zach Peta worked two strong innings before running into traffic to open the eighth, while Larson covered the final two frames.
  • Notable pitching moments: Anderson worked through traffic early and limited further damage, while Peta retired Augustana in order in the sixth to preserve USF's 5-4 lead.

At the Plate

  • Multi-hit games: Brady Schafer went 2-for-4 with a home run, double, two RBI and two runs scored.
  • Extra-base hits: Schafer recorded USF's lone extra-base hits with a solo home run and a double.
  • RBIs: Schafer drove in two, Edwards added two, while Iliff and Verville each had one.
  • Clutch situations: Edwards' two-run single gave USF a 5-4 lead in the fourth, and Verville's bases-loaded walk put the Cougars back in front in the seventh.
  • Team totals: USF finished with 6 runs, 6 hits, 11 walks, 2 hit by pitch and 11 left on base.

Coach's Corner

"Tough loss tonight. Neither team played very clean baseball & good teams like Augie take advantage of mistakes. Logan did a good job of getting through five innings & Zach & Eli threw it well too. Gave them a three-spot late when our defense couldn't make a few plays & that was the difference. I loved the way my guys competed though. A lot better than the first time we played these guys at their place. We were much better prepared & it showed. Now we just gotta pick it up on the defensive side & we can come out on top in games like this. Hopefully we bounce back tomorrow & even up the series so we have a chance to win it on Sunday."
– Head Coach Grant Hieb

Up Next

The Cougars continue their weekend series against Augustana with nine-inning games scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 12 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium. Fans are encouraged to follow USF Cougars social media and USFCougars.com for any weather-related updates.

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