Playing a four-game series with the University of Mary over the weekend in Bismarck, N.D., the Southwest Minnesota State baseball team won three of four from the Marauders, sweeping Saturday's doubleheader and going 1-1 in Sunday's twin bill with a 10-inning victory in Game 2.
"When you're on the road and take three out of four, that's always your goal," said SMSU head baseball coach Paul Blanchard. "It's always tough to win on the road, and sweeping four is tough anywhere."
While Mary sits 5-15 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and 6-28 overall, the Marauders gave the Mustangs all they could handle on the weekend.
"They're a scrappy team and their record isn't an indication of the team they are," Blanchard said. "They've beaten Wayne State, they've beaten Augustana. Watching them play, they got the capability, they've just fallen on the short end this year."
In Game 2 Sunday, Chris Eichten led the top of the 10th with a walk, and Jon Ellis reached first on an error. After Kyle Young was intentionally walked to load the bases, Tyler Flattum came up to the plate. Flattum held firm at the plate and was walked on four straight pitches to bring in the eventual game-winning run.
Young and Adam Thygesen led SMSU's offense in the win with three hits apiece. Corby McGlauflin got the victory after going 3 1/3 innings of relief.
In Game 1 Sunday, Mary pitcher Kyal Williams helped the Marauders become the first team to shut out the Mustangs this season, striking out four in a complete game.
In Saturday's doubleheader, SMSU's Ben Bartling stayed undefeated on the year with a strong six-inning outing, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts. The Mustangs put across two runs in the top of the second on a single by Mark Hanson, bringing home Young and Jon Ellis.
In Saturday's nightcap, SMSU sprinted out on the start, scoring five runs in the first inning. Brian Ness finished with four hits and three runs scored, pacing the Mustangs' hit parade. Korger, Eichten, Doug Mead and Young all had two hits apiece as SMSU finished with 18 knocks.
The Mustangs (8-6 NSIC, 18-11 overall) are back in Marshall on Tuesday, hosting Northern State at Alumni Field for a doubleheader.
Saturday
Game 1
SMSU021 001 0-4 6 1
Mary000 001 0-1 6 1
SMSU-Ben Bartling, Corby McGlauflin (7); M-Jeff Skadeland, James Majeske-Mikyska (6), Sam Slveson (6). WP-Bartling. LP-Skadeland. S-McGlauflin. HR: M-Cory Herback. 2B: M-Tyler Steffan. LOB: SMSU-11; M-5.
Game 2
SMSU520 130 010-12 18 2
Mary110 011 140-9 17 0
SMSU-Nate Dickhausen, Chris Koep (7), Landon Gacke (7), Dylan Shoemaker (8); M-Michael Vollrath, Brad Horan (2), McKeon Meyhoff (4), Travis Famias (9). WP-Dickhausen. LP-Vollrath. S-Shoemaker. HR: M-Tyler Steffan, James Carroll. 3B: M-Marice Burrough. 2B: SMSU-Ben Korger, Adam Thygesen, Brian Ness, Jeff Watson; M-Kyal Williams. LOB: SMSU-10; M-14.
Sunday
Game 1
SMSU000 000 0-0 5 3
Mary001 105 X-7 11 1
SMSU-Aaron Johnson, Derek Skovbroten (6), Brandan Alfson (6); M-Kyal Williams. WP-Williams. LP-Johnson. 2B: SMSU-Adam Thygesen; M-Tyler Steffan. LOB: SMSU-6; M-3.
Game 2
SMSU001 201 100 1-6 10 2
Mary300 000 200 0-5 11 4
SMSU-Jeremy Schmidt, Corby McGlauflin (7); M-Kyle Lozenski, Christopher Jolly (6), Travis Famias (8). WP-McGlauflin. LP-Famias. 2B: SMSU-Adam Thygesen, Jon Ellis, Jeff Watson; M-Steve Pletan. LOB: SMSU-11; M-8.