Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern State University baseball team split their doubleheader against Sioux Falls, securing a 6-0 victory in game one before dropping a 11-3 decision in game two. In the opener, Carson Zimmel threw a complete-game shutout, striking out seven batters. However, in the second game, the Cougars took advantage of costly mistakes and timely hitting, seizing control of the contest and kept the win out of reach form the Wolves. On the day, NSU recorded 17 runs off 16 hits.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 6, USF 0
Final Score Game 2: NSU 3, USF 11
Records: NSU 5-16 (NSIC 1-13) USF 10-18 (NSIC 6-8)
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 1
- After four scoreless innings, Northern State broke the game open when Dylan Soulek scored on an error by the catcher, giving NSU a 1-0 lead
- Brennan Phillips followed with a single to right field that scored AJ Mendez
- Dillon Castellanos lined out to left field for a SAC fly that scored Michael Benevides to continue the inning
- Jack Weidner kept it rolling with a single to right center that scored Brennan Phillips. Nicholas Ochoa then scored on an error by the shortstop, and Nick Friedges scored as well to give NSU a 6-0 lead
- The Wolves tallied six runs off seven hits with one error on the day
- Carson Zimmel recorded the win in a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts
NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Brennan Phillips: 2-for-4, 1 double, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Nick Friedges: 2-for-3, 1 run, 1 stolen base
- Jack Weidner: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs
- Carson Zimmel: 7.0 IP, Win, 7 strikeouts
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME 2
- Sioux Falls was the first to score in the game, plating one run in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead
- After three scoreless innings, the Cougars extended their lead with two runs in the fifth
- Northern State responded with a double by Brennan Phillips that scored Jordan Hull, trimming the lead to 3-1
- USF added three more runs in the top of the sixth to lead 6-1
- In the bottom of the seventh, Nicholas Ochoa scored on a double play to cut the deficit to 6-2
- In the eighth, Sioux Falls extended their lead with two more runs on a double
- NSU responded with one run, as Jack Weidner scored on a double by Dylan Soulek to make it 8-3
- In the top of the ninth, the Cougars tallied three runs to lead by eight runs
- Northern State finished the game with three runs off nine hits and two errors
NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Jack Weidner: 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 1 run
- Brennan Phillips: 2-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 double
- Dylan Soulek: 2-for-4, 2 doubles, 1 RBI
- Nicholas Ochoa: 1-for-3, 1 run
UP NEXT
Northern State returns to Fossum Field to close out the four-game series against Sioux Falls tomorrow. First pitch is set for 12 p.m., with game two following at 2 p.m. against the Cougars.