SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The University of Sioux Falls earned a 6-2 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in game one of a doubleheader at Bishop Mueller Field.
USF right-hander Cole Wright was effective in earning the victory holding SMSU hitless through five innings.
Jaxon Haase was able to break-up the no-hitter with a lead-off single in the sixth. Wright closed the game tossing 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits with three walks, two hit batters and two strikeouts.
The Cougars scored a run in the top of the first on a single, sac bunt, balk and sac fly to take a 1-0 advantage. The Cougars added to the lead with a big four-run fourth inning on just one hit. Following two walks to open the frame, USF would score a run on a fielding error before a two-run triple plated two more runs to make the score 4-0. USF would add one more in the inning with another a sac RBI bunt.
The Mustangs would score its first run of the game in the fourth with
Jaxon Haase and
Isaac Nett starting the rally with hit by pitches. Following a fly out, a walk to
Max Kalenberg would load the bases, but SMSU would only score one run on a sac fly by
Jake Tauer.
The Cougars picked-up another run in the fifth on a pair of two-out hits and a walk.
SMSU added another run in the sixth as Haase started the rally with a single and moved to third on a single by
Owen Latendresse. Haase would score on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 6-2, but with a runners on first and second and one out, USF relief pitcher Reese Gaber coaxed a 4-3 doubles play to end the rally.
Shay Endres (1-2) suffered the loss allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits with three walks. He finished with a season-high six strikeouts.
Craig Lasley allowed one run in an inning of relief, while
Jerod Cyrus fired two scoreless innings for the Mustangs.
Game two will start at 2:30 p.m.
