GAME ONE BOX
GAME TWO BOX
MESA, Ariz. – The Northern State University baseball team closed out their spring break trip to Arizona Saturday with a split against Dickinson State University, a NAIA school located in Dickinson, N.D. The Blue Hawks took the first game 9-4 and the Wolves took the second 4-1.
The split brings the Wolves' season record to 3-12 overall.
Inconsistent hitting once again beliguered the Wolves chances for a win in the first game after notching just six hits during the game. Three Blue Hawk errors helped the Wolves get four runs across the board, but Dickinson State was able to pound out 13 hits and nine runs in earning the victory.
Lucas Jung went 2-3 with a run scored to lead the Wolves at the plate, including a double in the first inning that he eventually scored on.
Nathan Zacher went 1-2 with two runs scored and Michael Cross went 2-3 with double, a triple, an RBI (coming off the double) and a run scored.
Sophomore Michael Gardner got roughed up for seven runs (three earned) on nine hits in 2-2/3 innings of work, dropping his record to 1-3 on the year.
Much like Trent Bestland did a few days ago, Lucas Jung threw an absolute gem in the second game to pick up the victory for the Wolves on the mound. The Aberdeen native scattered just seven hits and gave up just one earned run in going the distance for the Wolves. His complete game victory featured five strikeouts and no walks.
His run support came in the form of two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth the Wolves got on the board first with an RBI single by Adam Brion that knocked in Brad Rintoul who had been on base after ripping a double to right center. The next batter, James Paul, singled to left to bring around Payton McCleary who had earned a walk after Rintoul's double.
They added two more in the sixth when Cross singled to center and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ronnie Sellers. A walk by Rintoul and an intentional walk by Payton McCleary loaded the bases for Dillon Talley, who then earned another walk to pick up an RBI and bring Cross home. With the bases still loaded, Brion hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring Rintoul in to score.
The leadoff batter Adam Brion led the Wolves offensively during the game, finishing 2-3 with two RBI.
Cross also finished 1-2 with a run scored to continue his consistent stat lines at the plate.
The Wolves are next scheduled to face Minnesota State next Saturday and Sunday at Fossum Field in Aberdeen, but the amount of snow still on the ground will likely leave the game to be played elsewhere or postponed for a later date.
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**
