Independent file photo SMSU’s Alex Jorgensen delivers a pitch during their April 23 game against the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Mustangs will face Northern State today.

MARSHALL – The Southwest Minnesota State University (9-24, 8-20 NSIC) baseball team is back on the road for a conference doubleheader versus Northern State University (21-21, 16-15 NSIC) today at Bob Wiley Field in Webster, S.D.

•The doubleheader is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. The two games were relocated to Webster because Aberdeen’s Fossum Field is under construction.

•NSU, which won two of three at nationally ranked St. Cloud State this past weekend, is currently in seventh place in the NSIC standings while SMSU begins the week in 13th place in NSIC play. The top eight teams qualify for the NSIC Tournament from May 8-11.

•Following today’s two games, SMSU will conclude the season on Friday and Saturday hosting St. Cloud State in a three-game series at Alumni Field.

Game coverage

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

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

Series history

•SMSU holds a 96-44 advantage in the series with the first meeting occurring in 1979.

•The two teams split a doubleheader last season in Omaha, Neb., with NSU winning game one, 4-0, before SMSU won 12-2 in the nightcap.

Team numbers

•Through 33 games, SMSU is batting .250 with 71 extra-base hits including 49 doubles, three triples and 19 home runs.

•The SMSU pitching staff has compiled a 6.03 ERA in 259 2/3 innings with 210 strikeouts and 108 walks.

Mustang

diamond notes

•Jayden Fleck, Connor Johnson and Tanner Strommen each lead the team with eight multi-hit games.

•Fleck is batting a team-high .296 with five home runs and is tied for the team lead with 18 RBIs.

•Fleck ranks seventh in team history in hit by pitches (29), seventh in assists (323), eighth in at bats (539) and tied for 10th in walks (78).

•Ben Heichel leads the club with six home runs and has 18 RBIs. His six home runs in conference play is tied for seventh in the NSIC.

•Jake Hendricks has a team-leading nine doubles with three home runs and and 18 RBIs.

•Brady Lanoue and Hendricks both have a team-leading five multi-RBI games.

•Left-hander John Bezdicek is 2-4 with two complete games, a team-leading 55 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings and has compiled a 2.79 ERA.

•Bezdicek’s 14 strikeouts in seven innings at Upper Iowa on March 31 is tied for the highest single-game total in the NSIC this season. He currently ranks fourth in the conference with 48 strikeouts and is ninth in ERA (2.32).

•Bezdicek was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Week on April 2 following a three-hit, seven-inning shutout, with a career-high 14 strikeouts at Upper Iowa.

•Bezdicek ranks first in team history in strikeouts per nine innings with 10.62. He also ranks seventh in team history in career ERA at 3.57 (min. 70 innings).

•Right-hander Spencer Schroeder has made seven appearances with six starts and is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 35 innings.

•Right-hander Donny Schroeder has made 10 appearances all out of relief and has two victories.

•Left-hander Teddy Broxterman has pitched in a team-high 12 games and has recorded a team-leading four saves.

•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