Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Matt Bauer drilled two home runs and finished with seven RBI to lead Southwest Minnesota State to a 23-6 victory over Augustana in game one of a doubleheader in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Augustana rebounded to win game two in another blowout 19-9.  SMSU pitchers issued eight walks and hit five batters in game two.

SMSU, ranked seventh in the latest NCAA regional rankings, is now 22-7 overall, 12-6 NSIC.  Augie is 22-18 overall, 12-11 NSIC.

The 23 runs scored in game one was the second highest total for SMSU in a game this season.

After a scoreless first inning, SMSU put together a two-out rally in the second as Derick Swenson drilled an RBI single and one batter later Greg Laughlin followed with a three-run double as SMSU took a 4-0 lead and never looked back.

SMSU finished the game with 12 extra base hits, including three home runs and two triples.  Swenson, Laughlin, Bauer, Derek West and Josh Nolan each finished with three hits apiece.

Curtis Smith moved to 6-0 on the season tossing 5.1 innings allowing six hits and two runs, while striking out a season-high seven batters.

In game two, the Vikings scored single runs in the first and second innings before scoring six runs in the third to take an 8-0 lead.  SMSU put together a two-out rally in the fourth as Nolan dropped in an RBI single before Jake Munsch belted a three-run homer to trim the lead to 8-4.  Laughlin then smacked an RBI double later in the inning to cut the lead to 8-5.

Augustana came right back in the bottom of the fourth to halt the SMSU rally scoring four runs to put the game away pushing the lead to 12-5.

The two teams will conclude the series on Sunday, April 26, with a doubleheader in Marshall starting at 1 p.m. at Alumni Field.

Click here to view a photo gallery from Friday's games.