PHOENIX, Ariz, - The Northern State Wolves baseball squad dropped a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational to Dakota State University by scores of 3-5 and 5-12.

With the losses, the Wolves fall to 2-7 on the year, and are now 1-4 during their time in Phoenix.

In the game one, the Wolves freshman pitcher Michael Gardner threw a six inning complete game, but took the loss on the hill by a 5-3 score.  Gardner allowed ten hits, five runs (four earned), walked one batter and struck out four.  He is now 1-1 on the year.

Offensively, the Wolves were led by Dillon Talley who went 2-3 with a double and his first career home run.  He also scored two of the Wolves' three runs.  James Paul also had a good first game at the plate, going 2-3 with an RBI single.

The Wolves got three runs on six hits, had three errors and left four runners on base.

In the second game, the Wolves starter Lucas Jung went 5 innings and allowed six earned runs in absorbing the loss.  He also allowed 10 hits with no walks and two strikeouts.  Relief pitcher Nick Wallentiny pitched one inning, allowed four earned runs on two hits and walked four batters.  Jon Bitz closed out shop for the Wolves with one inning pitched, giving up two runs (none earned) on one hit with two walks and one strikeout.

Payton McCleary had the best game at the plate, going 2-2 with a run scored.  Matt Hovendick went 0-0 with two walks and a run scored.

The Wolves are off on Thursday but will return to action on Friday with a doubleheader against Malone (Ohio).  First pitch is slated for an 11:00 a.m. (PST) start.

Northern State University is an NCAA Division II affiliated school participating in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

**GO WOLVES**