Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State rallied from a 3-0 deficit in game two to earn a 9-6 victory and complete an NSIC sweep over Southwest Minnesota State on Friday night at Fossum Field. NSU won game one by a 3-1 score.
 
The two teams will complete the four-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader set for 4 p.m.
 
In game one, NSU (11-15, 4-10 NSIC) snapped a 1-1 game with a two-run fourth inning, which proved to be enough for Wolves starting pitcher, Louie Carlos. He tossed six innings, allowing five hits and one run with six strikeouts.
 
SMSU starting pitcher Justin Clark (0-4) tossed a complete game, giving up three runs on six hits with a career-high eight strikeouts.
 
SMSU (7-17, 2-12 NSIC) scored its lone run in the third inning as Kody Larson doubled and scored two batters later on a two-out RBI single by Jayden Fleck.
 
Larson finished 2 for 3 in game one to lead the Mustang offense.
 
In game two, SMSU jumped to a 3-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Derek Branson and a two-run single by Shane Sellner.
 
NSU scored an unearned run in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 3-1, before pulling ahead with a four-run sixth inning. The Wolves scored the final three runs in the inning on a pair of two-out base hits.
 
The Wolves would add to the lead in the seventh with another two-out RBI hit to push the lead to 6-3.
 
SMSU trimmed to lead to 6-4 in the eighth inning on a ground out by Sellner, to score Branson, who started the rally with a lead-off single.
 
NSU countered with a big three-run eighth inning to push the margin to 9-4 heading into the ninth.
 
The insurance runs proved to be big as SMSU scored two runs in the ninth on a fielder's choice by Tanner Strommen and a sac fly from Sellner to cut the lead to 9-6. The Mustangs had the tying run at the plate, but a ground out secured the victory for NSU.
 
The six-run output by SMSU was its highest total in 14 conference games.
 
Cole VanderBeek paced an 11-hit attack for SMSU going 3 for 5 with two runs scored, while Sellner drove in four runs. Strommen collected two hits and had one RBI and one run scored.
 
Cole Petersen (4-2) took the loss for the Mustangs, pitching 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits with three walks and four strikeouts.