Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s Derek Smith follows through on a swing during their game against Winona State University on Sunday. SMSU fell to WSU 2-1 in both Game 1 and Game 2.

MARSHALL — Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State combined for outstanding pitching in both games, but the Warriors came through with clutch plays on offense to sweep a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference baseball doubleheader by identical scores of 2-1 at Legion Field on Sunday.

SMSU has now dropped four straight and is now 7-11 overall, 5-10 NSIC, while WSU improves to 12-10, 9-8 NSIC. The Mustangs have lost six one-run games this season, including five in league play.

SMSU was limited to 11 hits in the two games, while WSU finished the doubleheader with 13 hits.

In game one, SMSU jumped to a quick start as Brodie Smith smacked the first pitch he saw for a lead-off double. Two batters later Jake Hendricks lofted a sac fly to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.

WSU took the lead in the fourth behind a pair of one-out doubles, a failed pick-off attempt, and a two-out infield single to take a 2-1 advantage.

The lead would hold up for WSU starting pitcher Dillon Whittaker, who pitched six innings and allowed just the one run on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Nicolas Herold came on to close the game in the seventh, but not before SMSU put together a rally to attempt to tie the game. Robbie Smith led-off with a walk and with one out moved to second on a hit by pitch to Nathan Kuhn. Hendricks grounded out for the second out before Herold struck out Matt Bezdicek with runners on second and third to end the game.

John Bezdicek (2-1) suffered the loss for SMSU tossing a complete game, while allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Matt Bezdicek led SMSU’s five-hit offense with a pair of hits, while Brodie Smith, Kuhn and Derek Smith each collected one.

In game two, WSU opened the scoring in the third inning with the use of two hits and a sac fly to open a 1-0 lead.

SMSU responded in the bottom of the third as Robbie Smith reached on an infield single, moved to second on a sac bunt by Brodie Smith, before sprinting home on an RBI double by Kuhn to tie the game at 1-1.

Jake Wensmann started on the mound for the Mustangs and was outstanding tossing six innings and allowing just one run on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk. He finished his outing firing 69 pitches with 52 for strikes.

Kobe Lovell pitched 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief before giving way to Shawn Williams in the eighth. Williams worked out of a jam in the eighth, recording a strikeout to end a WSU scoring threat with the bases loaded.

WSU would rally and regain the lead in the ninth taking advantage of two walks and a one-out RBI double by Nathan Loomis to build a 2-1 lead and the eventual victory.

Kuhn had two of SMSU’s six hits in the nightcap with Kip Gronholz, Hendricks, Robbie Smith and Chase McDaniel each finishing with one hit.

Southwest Minnesota State and Winona State conclude the series on Monday with a 12 p.m. at Legion Field.

— Content courtesy of SMSU Athletic Communications