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SMSU BASEBALL: Mustangs travel to Minot State for three-game series

Independent file photo SMSU’s John Bezdicek delivers a pitch during their May 3, 2018 game against Bemidji State. The Mustangs will face Minot State University this weekend.

MARSHALL – The Southwest Minnesota State University (6-19, 5-15 NSIC) baseball team continues road Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action today and Saturday with a three-game series versus Minot State University (23-12, 16-6 NSIC) at Corbett Field in Minot, N.D. Today’s doubleheader is set to start at 1:30 p.m., while Saturday’s game will begin at 12:30 p.m.

•The three games were originally scheduled to be played at Alumni Field in Marshall, but was moved due to poor field conditions. SMSU will serve as the “home team” for all three games. SMSU, which has yet to play a home game this season and has played just two games in the state of Minnesota, have now had 13 home games relocated this season.

•MISU, the 2018 NSIC regular season champions, are currently in fifth place in the NSIC standings while SMSU is in 13th place.

•SMSU’s next conference victory will be the program’s 300th in NSIC play since joining the league in 1971.

•SMSU is scheduled to have its home opener on Wednesday versus Minnesota Duluth at Alumni Field.

Game coverage

•Live statistics and video for all three games will be available at smsumustangs.com.

•Updates can also be found by following @smsubaseball on Twitter.

Series history

•MISU holds a 9-6 advantage in the series with the first meeting occurring in 1978.

•This will be the first meeting between the two teams since splitting a four-game series in Marshall on March 28-29, 2015.

Team numbers

•Through 25 games, SMSU is batting .257 with 52 extra-base hits including 35 doubles, three triples and 14 home runs.

•The SMSU pitching staff has compiled a 6.21 ERA in 195 2/3 innings with 167 strikeouts and 82 walks.

Mustang

diamond notes

•Jayden Fleck leads the team with eight multi-hit games while Tanner Strommen has six multi-hit games.

•Fleck is batting a team-high .310 with a team-high five home runs and is tied for the club lead with 15 RBIs. Fleck’s also the team-leader with six doubles.

•Matt Bezdicek, Nathan Kuhn and Hendricks all have five doubles.

•John Bezdicek’s 14 strikeouts in seven innings at Upper Iowa on March 31 is tied for the highest total in the NSIC this season. He currently ranks sixth in the conference in strikeouts.

•Fleck’s grand slam to help defeat CSP on March 15 was the first grand slam by a Mustang since Fleck hit one versus Mount Marty on March 10, 2018.

•Connor Johnson reached base in 11 straight games earlier this season, the longest by a Mustang this season.

•Left-hander John Bezdicek has two complete games, a team-leading 40 strikeouts in a team-high 33 innings and has compiled a 3.00 ERA.

•Right-hander Spencer Schroeder has made five starts and is 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.

•Right-hander Donny Schroeder has made a team-high eight appearances out of the bullpen and has two victories.

•Left-hander Wes Sarsland recorded his first career save win SMSU’s win over Dordt on March 11.

•Senior right-hander Justin Clark started two games this season but is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to an injury. He has appeared in 34 games including 29 starts with 147 strikeouts in 153 innings during his career.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications

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