MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State baseball team used timely hitting in game one and big nine-run first inning in the nightcap to earn a doubleheader sweep over Northern State on Wednesday at Legion Field by scores of 5-3 and 16-1 in seven innings.
SMSU improves to 21-14 overall, 15-11 NSIC, and has now won nine straight over NSU. The Wolves drop to 13-24 overall, 8-19 NSIC.
In game one, SMSU trailed 2-0 in the fourth before trimming the lead in half.
Jaxon Haase started the rally with a hit by pitch and moved to second following a walk to
Max Kalenberg. After a fielder's choice put runners on the corners with one out,
Peyton Nash laid down a sacrifice bunt to plate Haase and make the score 2-1.
The Mustangs put together a huge bottom of the fifth to take control of the game.
Jake Tauer started the game-changing rally with a leadoff single.
Chase McDaniel and
Isaac Nett both earned four-pitch walks to load the bases before
Owen Latendresse ripped an 0-2 pitch to left field to plate two runs and put SMSU in front 3-2. After a line out and a strikeout,
Keenan Wenzel came through with a clutch double to left-center field to score one run, while on the play the NSU centerfielder bobbled the ball to allow Latendresse to sprint around from first base and push the margin to 5-2 after five.
Ansen Dulas (2-2) maintained the lead for SMSU as he pitched six solid innings, while allowing two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks. He was able to strand nine NSU runners on base during his outing, including the bases loaded to end the sixth inning.
Bennett Knapper relieved Dulas in the seventh and allowed a run on three hits before leaving with runners on the corners and two outs.
Cameron Jensen entered the game and walked the first batter he faced before closing the win with a strikeout to earn his second save of the season.
NSU closed the game stranding 12 runners on base while collecting nine base hits.
Tauer was the only Mustang to finish with two hits, while McDaniel, Nett, Latendresse, Wenzel and
Brady Petron each added one hit.
In game two, SMSU exploded in the bottom of the first scoring nine runs on eight hits to build an early lead and never looked back. Latendresse started the scoring with an RBI single before Haase hit an-opposite field 3-run home run over the right field fence to make the score 4-0. Tauer later hit an RBI single before McDaniel walked with the bases load and Nett lofted a sac fly to left field to give SMSU a 7-0 advantage. Latendresse and Haase both connected on run-scoring base hits to push the lead to 9-0.
SMSU sealed the win with a five-run fourth inning behind a pair of home runs. Wenzel drilled an opposite field shot over the right field fence for the first run before McDaniel launched a grand slam to right field to push the lead to 14-1. It was McDaniel's second grand slam of the season.
SMSU closed the scoring in the fifth with McDaniel and Nett both coaxing bases loaded walks.
The Mustangs racked up 14 hits in the nightcap with Latendresse finishing 4 for 5 with two RBIs, while McDaniel was 2 for 3 with three runs and a career-high six RBIs. Haase had two hits and four RBIs with Wenzel and Tauer both adding two hits apiece.
The run support was plenty for SMSU starter
Shay Endres (3-1), who won his second straight start tossing six innings and allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
Hayden Molva closed the game tossing a perfect seventh inning with one strikeout.
SMSU continues home action this weekend facing Winona State in a three-game series at Legion Field. Saturday's doubleheader is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. with Sunday's single game slated for a 12 p.m. start.
