MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State baseball team used a strong pitching performance from Kolby Kiser to earn a 3-2 victory in game one tp help the Mustangs gain a split with the University of Sioux Falls and secure a spot in the upcoming NSIC tournament. USF scored two runs in the sixth inning to rally for a 4-3 victory in the nightcap to earn the split.
 
SMSU moves to sixth place in the NSIC standings and is 25-20 overall, 19-17 NSIC, while USF is 22-24 overall, 15-21 NSIC.
 
Kiser (6-3) carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh inning before the Cougars rallied with two runs and four hits to cut the deficit to 3-2. USF had runners on the corners with two outs but Kiser coaxed a fly out to end the game and clinch SMSU's second straight trip to the NSIC tournament.
 
SMSU snapped a scoreless game in the fourth with Jaxon Haase stroking a leadoff double. Following a bunt single by Jake Tauer put runners on the corners, Keenan Wenzel dropped a bunt up the first base line with the throw from the first baseman alluding the catcher and allowing Haase to score. Following a double play, Brady Petron connected on a big two-out RBI single to plate Tauer and make the score 2-0.
 
In the top of the fifth, USF used two infield hits sandwiched about a walk to load the bases with no outs. Kiser however worked out of the jam with a 1-2-3 double play and fly out to keep the score 2-0.
 
SMSU added to the lead in the fifth with Chase McDaniel reaching on an infield hit before Isaac Nett reached first on a hit by pitch. With one out, Haased walked to load the bases before Tauer worked a bases loaded walk to plate another run.
 
Kiser closed the game with eight strikeouts while allowing two runs on six hits and four walks.
 
The Mustang had five hits in the opener with McDaniel, Tauer, Haase, Petron and Wenzel each collecting one.
 
In game two, USF took a 2-0 lead in the third off SMSU starting pitcher Shay Endres on back-to-back doubles and a two-out RBI single.
 
SMSU answered in the fifth to take its lone lead of the game with a three-run frame on three hits. McDaniel singled to open the inning and moved to second on a one-out walk to Max Kalenberg. Following a strikeout, Tauer stepped to the plate and drilled a run-scoring single to make the score 2-1. Moments later, Wenzel ripped a two-run double to right-center field to put the Mustangs in the lead at 3-2.
 
The lead was short-lived as the Cougars started the sixth inning with a single and double. Following a fly out, Kobe Lovell came on in relief of Endres and allowed a two-run single to put the Cougars back in front at 4-3. Lovell's appearance was the 59^th in his career setting a new SMSU program career record.
 
SMSU was scoreless the remainder of the game and limited to just five hits in the contest. USF's Dylan Immel earned the save firing three hitless innings to secure the victory.
 
Endres (3-3) suffered the loss allowing four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Cameron Jensen tossed three shutout innings with five strikeouts and allowed just two hits.
 
McDaniel closed the game with two hits with Tauer, Wenzel and Petron all earning one hit.
 
SMSU will conclude the regular season with a three-game home series versus second place Minnesota State at Legion Field. Friday's single game begins at 12 p.m. with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m.