Scoring seven runs in the final two innings of play, the Southwest Minnesota State baseball team rallied for an 8-7 comeback win over Concordia-St. Paul Wednesday in Game 1 of a doubleheader at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Game 2 of the doubleheader was suspended in the top of the sixth inning with the Golden Bears up 3-1 on the Mustangs due to a time limit at the Metrodome. The game is scheduled to resume at a later time this spring. SMSU visits Concordia on April 24 in St. Paul.
SMSU (3-2 overall) took its time to get going offensively in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Concordia (3-4) had a 5-1 lead through five innings before the Mustangs struck for three in the sixth. After CU added two more runs in the top of the seventh, the Mustangs rallied again with a four-run seventh inning, clinching the win with a pinch-hit, two-run double by Jon Ellis.
The Mustangs began the seventh-inning rally with a single by Ryan Engels, who moved to second on a walk to Ben Korger. Jordan Kontz then singled home Engels before Brian Ness came up with an RBI single to score Korger and cut the lead to 7-6.
With runners on first and second, Kyle Young grounded out to move the runners up a base. After an intentional walk to Jarred Carlson to load the bases, Ellis hit a 1-2 pitch into the right-center field gap to give the Mustangs the victory.
Young and Carlson both finished with two hits for the Mustangs, and Steven Kremer had a double and two RBIs. Both teams finished with 10 hits for the game.
Fact Box
CU 100 130 2-7 10 0
SMSU 010 003 4-8 10 0
CU-Andy Fagely, Nicho Roessler (6), Colton Petron (7). SMSU-Steven Wehr, Corby McGlauflin (4), Ryan Ecalbarger (5), Eric Giddings (7), Brandon Alfson (7). WP-Alfson. LP-Petron. 2B: CU-Eric Fasnacht, Drew Turk, Mick Sawinski; SMSU-Kyle Young, Steven Kremer, Jon Ellis. 3B: CU-Elliot Powell.
Steven Wehr got the start on the mound for the Mustangs and pitched 3 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs and four hits with four walks and a strikeout.
Brandan Alfson ended up earning the win for SMSU. He faced two batters in the seventh, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout.
The Mustangs continue non-conference play at the Metrodome on Tuesday with a doubleheader against Mayville State (N.D.) starting at 11:45 a.m.