Top of the order key as SDSU outscores SMSU
BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota State shook off a slow start by scoring in five consecutive innings to post a 12-10 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in nonconference baseball action Tuesday afternoon at Erv Huether Field.
With their second consecutive victory, the Jackrabbits improved to 4-16 overall. SMSU dropped to 12-7 on the season.
SMSU jumped out to a 4-0 lead, taking advantage of a Jackrabbit error in the top of the first inning to score three times on a home run by Carter Lang, then adding a run in the second when Brock Woitalla singled and later came home on a wild pitch.
The Jackrabbits got on the board with a three-run bottom of the third inning. Freshmen Keagen Jirschle tripled and Nicholas Werk walked in front of an RBI double by leadoff man Carter Sintek. Owen Siegert then stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run single to left field.
The Mustangs countered with a two-run double by Jared Cortez in the top of the fourth, but SDSU gained a 9-6 lead by scoring the next six runs over a three-inning stretch. The top of the Jackrabbit order did most of the damage with Siegert singling in a run in the fourth and adding an RBI groundout as part of a four-run fifth frame. The fifth-inning outburst began with back-to-back walks to Dayton Franke and Mason Lang before Werk singled to right field and Sintek came through with a two-run single. Luke Luskey capped the rally with an RBI single that plated Sintek.
A solo home run by Adam Benes, his first of the season, made it a 9-6 game.
SMSU once again responded, tying the game at 9-all with a three-run seventh. Cortez hit his second RBI double of the game after a leadoff double by Levi Lambert and pinch-hitter Tyler Froland greeted Jackrabbit reliever Dylan Driessen with an RBI double of his own. The tying run scored on an RBI groundout off the bat of Carter Lang.
The Jackrabbits regained the lead in the home half of the seventh when Werk and Sintek drew back-to-back walks to start the frame and Siegert loaded the bases with a bunt single. Luskey then lined a single to left field that brought home both Werk and Sintek. Siegert scored what would be the final SDSU run of the game on a groundout by Bryce Ronken.
An error allowed SMSU to score in the top of the eighth, but Driessen prevented any further damage as he racked up six strikeouts in his three innings of work to earn the victory.
The Mustangs finished with a 12-11 advantage in hits as Cortez and Woitalla each went 3-for-5 on the day. Siegert was 3-for-5 with four RBIs to pace SDSU at the plate, with Sintek and Luskey each going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Eight different pitchers went to the mound for the Mustangs, combining for 10 walks and 10 strikeouts in the contest.
UP NEXTThe Jackrabbits are scheduled to return to Summit League play with a three-game series Friday through Sunday at North Dakota State. First pitch for Friday's opener is slated for 3 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, North Dakota.
NOTES
SDSU leads the all-time series, 56-30
Tuesday's game marked the first meeting between the two programs since 2006
Siegert extended his hitting streak to six games and also took over the team lead with six stolen bases after swiping two bags on Tuesday
Sintek has hit safely in 17 of the 19 games he has played this season
Luskey drove in 10 runs during the Jackrabbits' four-game homestand to raise his team-leading total to 24
Benes batted .500 (6-for-12) with seven RBIs on the homestand after starting the season 1-for-20 at the plate
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