Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University baseball team came away with the series victory after a split with Southwest Minnesota State Saturday evening. The Wolves won the first game, and fell in the second game however went 3-1 versus the Mustangs. Following the series Northern moves to 12-16 overall and 5-11 in league action.
The Mustangs scored first in the top of the second in game one, however the Wolves quickly answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame.
Seth Sullwold doubled to center field with one out in the inning, and came around to score on a single to right by
Tyler Gripentrog. The Wolves were unable to continue the rally in the inning, but took the lead in the bottom of the third on a passed ball. Schmidt led off the inning with a single and game around to score for the Wolves. Northern added two more runs in the fourth, securing their third and final victory of the series.
Schmidt led the team in the win, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Ben Carolin and
Lucas Lorenz each notched two hits as well, with both Wolves recording a double in the win.
Tyler Gripentrog,
Easton Lopez, and Sullwold tallied the final three hits for the Wolves, as Northern notched nine total.
Luke Chevalier started for the Wolves, and despite the run in the second threw lights out baseball. The sophomore gave up just four hits and struck out eight in his third win of the season.
Kris Johnson entered with one out in the seventh and recorded his second save in as many days.
SMSU struck first again in the night cap taking the 4-0 lead through the first 2.5 innings of play. The Wolves chipped away with runs in the third and fourth, and took the lead in the fifth with four runs. The Mustangs however notched three runs in the sixth to regain the lead which held through the final three innings of action.
Carolin and Sullwold led the team with two hits each. Carolin tallied two runs scored, while Sullwold hit his second double of the day and notched an RBI.
Mikey Barreneche added a double of his own with two RBI, while
Easton Lopez tallied a single going 1-for-3.
Tyler Gripentrog and
Lucas Lorenz notched an RBI each plating themselves by virtue of the long ball. Both Wolves homered to left field.
Five Wolves saw time on the hill in game two, with junior
Chase Tunstall suffering his first loss of the season.
Isaiah Greene was the lone Wolf to hold the Mustangs scoreless with one strikeout, while
Thomas Sertic and
Nate Zeise each tallied a strikeout as well.
The Wolves return to action this Tuesday on the road at Minot State University. First pitch of the doubleheader is schedule for 12 p.m. between the Wolves and Beavers.
