BASEBALL FACES SOUTH DAKOTA STATE IN NON-CONFERENCE TILT
BROOKINGS, S.D. - After winning or taking a share of its last three Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) series, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball program squared off against in-state and NCAA Division I opponent South Dakota State University on Tuesday afternoon, falling 17-1, from Erv Huether Field in Brookings, S.D.
BROOKINGS, S.D. - After winning or taking a share of its last three Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) series, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball program squared off against in-state and NCAA Division I opponent South Dakota State University on Tuesday afternoon, falling 17-1, from Erv Huether Field in Brookings, S.D.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Slotted into the lead-off position, Dakota Wesleyan infielder Drew Kitchens commenced the DWU approach at the plate with a free base following a hit-by pitch to start the contest. Matt Bezdicek, tucked into the clean-up spot, ensued with a single to left field, and Wyatt Hunt followed suit with a fielder's choice, yet the Tigers (13-21) were kept off the board.
South Dakota State punched back with two runs in the bottom of the first frame and carried the 2-0 benefit. A Dawson Parry single down the left field line sparked the SDSU hot start while the Jackrabbit (14-17) first baseman finished 3-of-5 offensively. However, DWU senior Bradley Dean dialed a strikeout for the second out of the stanza followed by a routine groundout executed by Michael Zeman.
SDSU taxed on seven more runs in both the second and third innings while registering six extra-base knocks in the affair. Bezdicek and the Blue and Gray struck its lone run of the afternoon in the top of the fourth frame as the 6-foot-4 senior from Plymouth, Minn. led off the stanza with his 15th double of the season down the left field line. Working a four-pitch base-on balls, Ryan McGinnis reached with two outs while Bezdicek scored on a wild pitch during the at-bat.
The Jackrabbits added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning and worked the 17-1 home victory. Zeman and Bezdicek combined for a trio of hits while Kitchens reached on all three of his trips to the plate. Dean and junior relief specialist Troy Wilhelm fanned four Jackrabbit batters on the bump.
UP NEXT
Head coach Charlie Dubanoski and the Tigers bounce back into action with a single,9-inning contest versus in-state foe Mount Marty University slated for 6 p.m. tomorrow from Bob Tereshinski Stadium in Yankton, S.D.