Mustangs Split on Sunday with Upper Iowa

Game One Box

Game Two Box

MARSHALL, MINN.: Southwest Minnesota State left-handed pitcher Jared Pick returned to the mound on Sunday and pitched six solid innings lifting SMSU to a much needed 6-2 victory over Upper Iowa in game two of twinbill on a windy day in Marshall. The victory snapped a six-game losing streak for SMSU. Upper Iowa won the opener 4-2, scoring four runs in the sixth inning.

Pick, who missed one start because of an injury, made his first start since defeating the University of Mary on Mar. 30. The left-hander allowed just two runs on six hits while striking out two UIU hitters and walking none. He tossed 78 pitches in the game with 52 strikes.

SMSU jumped on the board first in the game two on back-to-back doubles by Greg Laughlin and Andrew Kinney. SMSU scored another single run in the second on a run-scoring single by Derick Swenson scoring Doug Stearns from second base.

Following a run by UIU in the top of the third inning, SMSU finally broke through its offensive slump scoring four runs on six hits including three bunt hits. Jake Munsch plated the first run for the Mustangs with a sharp single to center field scoring Derek West, who lead off the inning with a single. Following a sac bunt by Josh Nolan putting runners on second and third base, Stearns dropped down a bunt that was nearly caught by the shortstop but the ball dropped to the ground allowing Lex Reinke to score the fourth run of the game. Scott Rambow then game through with an RBI single to score Munsch and push the SMSU lead to 5-1. The scoring was capped on another bunt single, this time by Swenson, to score Stearns and give SMSU a five-run cushion.

The run support was enough for Pick, who improved to 4-0 on the season. Pick has pitched at least five innings in five of his six starts this season.

Swenson, Laughlin, Munsch and Stearns all finished with two hits in the game as SMSU finished with 13 hits. It was the first time SMSU has collected double digits hits in a game since Apr. 8 versus Augustana, a span of nine games.

In the game one Upper Iowa snapped a scoreless tie in the sixth inning taking advantage of wild pitching by SMSU starter Curtis Smith. Smith cruised through the first 5.2 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three. With one out in the sixth, Smith hit Erik Sorenson and following a sac bunt for the second out was nearly out of the inning but he walked Nick Fjelland on a 3-2 pitch. Smith then hit the next batter to load the bases. UIU's Brock Spangenberg then came through with the biggest hit of the game hitting a 2-1 pitch to left field for a single that was then misplayed by the left fielder to clear the bases and give the Peacocks a 3-0 lead. Smith walked one more batter before Brandon Wilhelmi came into pitch and allowed an RBI single to push the lead to 4-0 in favor of UIU.

SMSU nearly rallied in the seventh as Derek West doubled to lead off the inning and after two were out, moved to third base after Swenson reached on a wild pitch strikeout. Noland walked to load the bases and Laughlin then delivered with a double to left center to score two runs and trim the lead to 4-2 while putting the tying run in scoring position. UIU's Chris Wlezien then came into the geame and earned his second save of the season striking out Kinney looking on a 2-2 pitch to secure the win.

Smith finished the game tossing 5.2 innings allowing just two hits and four runs. He struck out three while walking three and hitting two UIU batters.

SMSU left eight runners on base in the game and couldn't take advantage of UIU starting pitcher Greg Sieck, who walked three and hit four Mustang batters in the game.

Laughlin led the Mustang offense in game one with two hits.

SMSU is now 17-15 overall, 7-9 NSIC, while UIU is now 19-23 overall, 15-7 NSIC. The Mustangs return to conference action on Wednesday, Apr. 23 with a doubleheader

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