Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

MARSHALL, Minn. – Wayne State scored eight runs in the 10^th inning to secure a 17-9 win in game two and complete an NSIC sweep over Southwest Minnesota State on Tuesday at Alumni Field. WSC won the opener 4-1 behind a two-hit complete game effort from Taner Ledezma.
 
SMSU, which rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth and had the potential game-winning thrown out at the plate, drops to 8-20 overall, 3-15 NSIC.
 
WSC, which has won 10 straight over SMSU, improves to 15-17 overall, 10-10 NSIC.
 
Ledezma finished with six strikeouts to lead the Wildcats to the game one victory. He finished the game tossing 90 pitches, including 57 for strikes, while improving to 3-2.
 
WSC took an early lead in the second, using three hits and two SMSU errors to plate three runs.
 
SMSU countered with a run in the bottom of the second as Derek Branson drilled a double and scored two batters later on a ground out by Liam Lopez.
 
WSC pushed the lead to 4-1 with a run in the sixth inning, which was more than enough for Ledezma.
 
Davis Bryan (0-1) took the loss for SMSU despite tossing a complete game, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts.

In game two, SMSU jumped on the board in the home half of the second to take an early lead. Derek Smith drilled a two-out single and raced around the bases moments later on an RBI double from Cole VanderBeek.
 
SMSU added to the lead in the third inning, scoring two runs on three hits. Tanner Strommen started the rally with a double to the left field and fence. Branson followed with a double to left field to give SMSU a 2-0 lead. Following a ground out moving Branson to third, Liam Lopez reached on an infield single and on the play a throwing error by the WSC shortstop allowed Branson to score and extend the margin to 3-0.
 
SMSU made the score 4-0 in the fourth with a two-out rally. Jayden Fleck ripped an 0-2 pitch for a double and later scored on a fielding error.
 
The four-run lead did not last long as WSC rallied in the fifth with a three-run home run and a solo shot to tie the game at 4-4.
 
SMSU quickly answered and regained the lead in the home half of the fifth. Brady Lanoue reached on an error and moved to second on a sac bunt by Lopez. An infield single by Ben Heichel put runners on the corners with one out. Brian Redemske followed with a fielder's choice bunt that scored Lanoue to put SMSU back in front.  
 
WSC rallied in the seventh to take the lead, scoring four runs on five hits to build an 8-5 advantage.
 
SMSU picked up a run in the bottom of the seventh as Branson drilled a solo home run—his second long ball of the season—to trim the lead to 8-6. It was just the second home run for SMSU since the third game of the season.
 
WSC added a run in the ninth and that extra run proved to be huge as SMSU rallied in the bottom of the ninth. The Mustangs loaded the bases with one out before Derek Smith coaxed a walk to cut the deficit to 9-7. VanderBeek then stroked a single to deep right-centerfield to score a pair and tie the game at 9-9, while putting runners on the corners. Following a foul pop out for the second out, Smith attempted to score on a ball that got away from the WSC catcher, but was called out on a close play at the plate with the pitcher covering to end the inning.
 
WSC quickly responded in the 10^th inning loading the bases with one out via an infield single and two walks. Kyle Thompson then worked a walk against reliever Matt Morgan to give WSC a 10-9 lead. Following a force out at the plate, a hit by pitch brought in another run, before a grand slam opened the game open at 15-9.
 
Chase Meyer started for SMSU on the mound and lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits.
 
Connor Johnson (0-2), the third of four Mustang relievers, took the loss.
 
SMSU closed the game with 15 hits with Branson and Lopez each collecting three hits. VanderBeek finished with two hits and three RBIs, while Fleck and Strommen both recorded two hits.
 
Southwest Minnesota State hits the road for a four-game series versus Winona State this Friday and Saturday.