GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX

TUCSON, Ariz. – Southwest Minnesota State extended its winning streak to four in a row with a non-conference doubleheader sweep over Northern State on Monday, winning 7-5 and 4-3 at the Kino Sports Complex.

SMSU, 6-4 overall and 5-1 on its 12-game trip to Tucson, have Tuesday off before returning to action on Wednesday with a non-conference doubleheader versus Bemidji State at 11 a.m. CDT.

In Monday's opener, Jon Ellis and Jordon Kontz each had two hits to lead SMSU's eight-hit attack, while Ellis also added a pair of RBIs.

SMSU starter Mitch Wurm (1-1) pitched into the seventh inning to earn the victory, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits with eight strikeouts and three walks.

SMSU jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one inning with the aid of a key NSU error. Ben Korger started the frame with a hit by pitch and moved to second after the NSU shortstop dropped a pop up by Kontz. Ellis then stepped up and smashed a double to center field to make the score 1-0. Following a strikeout and a pop out, Brandan Alfson drilled a clutch two-run single making the score 3-0. Sam Haas then walked before Jarred Carlson ripped a two-run double down the left field line to extend the lead to 5-0.

The Wolves scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to trim the lead to 5-2, but SMSU picked the runs right back in the home half of the fourth on an RBI single by Ellis and an RBI ground out by Austin Stubbs.

The Mustangs held the 7-2 lead into the seventh inning before NSU rallied with three runs in the final frame. An error, triple, single and walk scored two runs for NSU and brought SMSU relief pitcher Hayden Willner into the game with runners on first and second. NSU's Matt Stubbs greeted Willner with a double to left field to score one run, but SMSU left fielder Elliott Serbus fired a throw to shortstop Ben Korger, whose relay throw to Tanner Neale at the plate gunned down the runner attempting to score from first base for the first out and keep the score 7-5. Willner recorded the second out on a pop out, before allowing a single to put runners on the corners. Steven Wehr entered the game for the Mustangs and recorded a fly out to seal the win and earn his first career save.

In game two, Alfson (2-0) tossed six strong innings to lead SMSU to victory, while Joe Axelson tossed the seventh to record his first career save. Alfson gave up three runs (two earned), on six hits with seven strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Patrick Rients started the scoring SMSU in the second inning coming home on a wild pitch. Carlson followed two batters later with an RBI single to score Stubbs and make the score 2-0.

NSU scored an unearned run in the third, but SMSU answered back in the top of the fourth to regain the two-run advantage. With one out, Sam Haas reached on a bunt single and with two outs stole second. Ryan Engels then smacked a clutch RBI single to give SMSU a 3-1 lead.

SMSU added to the lead in the fifth on a sac fly by Stubbs, scoring Rients, who started the inning with a triple.

NSU answered with a two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning to cut the SMSU lead to 4-3 heading into the seventh. In the bottom of seventh, NSU put the tying run on second with a leadoff double, but Axelson coaxed a fly out and then closed the game with a pair of strikeouts to secure the victory.

Ellis, Engels, Rients and Carlson all ended the game with two hits apiece as part of SMSU's 11-hit attack.