SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs took advantage of the big inning in both games on Saturday to claim a doubleheader sweep of the Northern State University Wolves in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference baseball action.  Saturday's games were played in Sioux Falls because of poor field conditions in Marshall.

 

The losses dropped NSU to 3-18 on the season and 0-6 in league play while the Mustangs moved to an even 6-6 overall and 2-0 in their first conference action of the year.

 

The host Mustangs scored at least two runs in each of the seven innings of Game 1, including a 5-run first that set the tone for the day.

 

NSU, despite rapping out ten hits – three from junior Ronnie Sellers – and drawing a trio of walks, left nine men on base in that game.  Sophomore Kai Alexander and senior James Paul also collected two hits apiece in the contest, while junior Michael Cross went 1-for-4 and scored two of the Wolves' four runs.

 

Meanwhile, the Mustangs dodged a bullet, overcoming six defensive errors with 16 hits and 12 RBI as a team.  Five of the 11 players to see a plate appearance notched a multiple-hit game.

 

NSU starter Trent Bestland absorbed the loss on the mound for the Wolves, allowing seven runs and three walks in one full inning of work.

 

Game 2 was a continuation of the offensive explosion for the Mustangs, who again knocked around 16 hits – including a pair of home runs – for 15 runs.  Six of those came in the sixth and final at-bat for SMSU.

 

The Wolves, however, managed seven hits scattered through the seven innings, but could not plate any of them.  NSU left five men on base in the contest.

 

Junior Derek Hoellein made his first appearance of the season on the mound for the Wolves, falling to 0-1 with the loss.  Hoellein went 3.0 innings and gave up seven runs on seven hits and a trio of walks.

 

The teams will conclude the remainder of their four-game series tomorrow with a second doubleheader.  First pitch is slated for noon.