GAME ONE BOX
GAME TWO BOX

MITCHELL, S.D. - Derick Swenson snapped a 3-3 game with a two-run home run in the sixth inning to help lead Southwest Minnesota State to a 10-3 victory over Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) in game one of a doubleheader in Mitchell, S.D., on Wednesday.

Dakota Wesleyan used its own big hit in the nightcap, ending the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn a 5-4 victory.  SMSU finished the two games with 27 total hits and left 22 runners on base.  It was also the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

SMSU (4-6) belted out a season-high 19 hits in game one, including five for extra bases.  Andrew Kinney finished 4 for 5, while Swenson, Cody Curry and Tyler Flattum all added three hits each.  It was Curry's second straight three-hit game.

The Mustangs jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a run-scoring double  by Andrew Kinney and a two-run single by Flattum. 

DWU (12-8), which advanced to last season's NAIA Region Tournament, tied the game in the third inning scoring three runs off of Mustang reliever Brad Haag.  Jared Pick started for SMSU and tossed two shutout innings, allowing just one base runner.

The game remained tied until the sixth when Adam Thygesen lead off with a single and was followed up by Swenson's first home run of the season.  Matt Bauer and Flattum added RBI singles as SMSU opened the game up with six runs in the inning.  The Mustangs capped the scoring in the seventh with Curry hitting an inside-the-park home run.

Aaron Johnson, one of six Mustang pitchers in the game, picked up the victory tossing one inning.

In game two, SMSU once again started fast as Kinney smacked a two-run homer in the first inning to stake the squad to a 2-0 lead.  It was Kinney's 35th career home run, moving him into sole possession of second place all-time at SMSU.

DWU answered with single runs in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings top build a 4-2 lead, until SMSU tied it in the sixth.  Kinney was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 4-3, before Bauer followed with a sac fly.

The game remained tied until the one-out home run in the eighth inning off of SMSU relief pitcher Nate Dickhausen.  Dickhausen suffered the loss, falling to 0-1 on the season, and was one of seven pitchers used by SMSU in the game.  Alex Alvarez started for SMSU and pitched two innings allowing two runs and two hits in two innings of work.

Tyler Fayden led the SMSU offense with two hits, while Kinney finished with three RBI.

Southwest Minnesota State starts Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend hosting Northern State on Saturday and Sunday.  The game are scheduled for Alumni Field in Marshall, but could be moved due to poor field conditions.  A decision will be made on Thursday.