The Pioneers held their own against NCAA Division 1 South Dakota State, but a few defensive misplays led to a 4-2 loss on Wednesday. In the top of the first, 3 MNU errors led to 2 unearned runs. But in the bottom of the inning,
Clayton Brandt led off with a double, stole third, and scored on a
Jordan Eckley sacrifice fly to cut the deficit in half. In the top of the fourth, SDSU loaded the bases with 2 outs. A walk and an infield field brought home 2, and MNU trailed 4-1. The Pioneers loaded the bases in the seventh but couldn't cash in, but a
Trent Sullivan sacrifice fly brought home a run in the eighth. In the ninth, MNU put 2 runners on, but a
Tyler Taute lineout ended the game.
MNU out-hit SDSU 9-5, and Pioneer pitchers (
Phillipe Graham,
Caleb Swartz,
Zach Stinnett,
Brett Ebers) struck out 10.
Clayton Brandt (3-4, R, 2B, SB),
Jordan Eckley (2-3, 2 2B, RBI, SF), and
Santiago Romero (2-4) led the offense.
MNU is 4-5. The next event is a 4-game series at home vs. York (6-5) with double headers on Friday and Saturday starting at noon. UPDATE: the 4-game series vs. York has been canceled.Â
