Box Score (PDF)
TULSA, Okla. – The South Dakota State Jackrabbits scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to rally and defeat the North Dakota State University baseball team, 6-5, in game one of The Summit League Baseball Championship Wednesday, May 24, at J.L. Johnson Stadium on the campus of Oral Roberts University.
SDSU (26-22) advances to face the winner of the Oral Roberts and Western Illinois opening round game at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in a winner's bracket game, while NDSU (29-24) will face the loser of the ORU and WIU contest in an elimination contest Thursday at noon.
After junior infielder
Mason Pierzchalski hit a two-out RBI double down the right field line to give North Dakota State a 5-4 advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning, SDSU infielder Tony Kjolsing hit a two-run homer to left field in the top of the seventh to put the Jackrabbits in front, 6-5. SDSU kept NDSU off the scoreboard the remaining two innings to secure the victory.
Pierzchalski went a career-best 4-for-5 at the plate with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI, while senior outfielder
Ben Petersen drove in a season-best four runs on a double and a two-run homer – his team-high eighth of the season – to lead the Bison offensively.
Senior right-handed pitcher
Luke Lind tied the North Dakota State single-season strikeouts record (92) after compiling seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Former NDSU standout pitcher John Straka fanned 92 batters during the 2012 season.
NDSU left-hander
Chris Choles (4-3) took the loss on the mound after giving up two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts and four walks in 3 2/3 innings of relief.
Outfielder Josh Kunzmann went 3-for-5 with a double, while infielder
Matt Johnson added a double and homer to lead South Dakota State in the batter's box.
Jackrabbit reliever Derek Feige (5-2) earned the win after allowing one unearned run on two hits with a pair of strikeouts and a walk in three innings, while SDSU closer Chris Halbur secured his Summit League-high 10th save after throwing a scoreless bottom of the ninth.
