Western Illinois beats SDSU in series opener

Posted

BROOKINGS – Second-place Western Illinois scored seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings en route to a 7-5 defeat of fourth-place South Dakota State to open a three-game Summit League baseball series Friday afternoon at Erv Huether Field.

Mitch Ellis went 3-for-4 and Johnathan Fleek was 2-for-4 for the Leathernecks.

Trailing 3-0, WIU put together a two-out rally in the top of the fourth inning.

Fleek got it going with a double, and Deion Thompson and Roman Visintine followed with back-to-back walks. Fleek scored on a wild pitch to get the visitors on the board.

Ellis then came through with a two-run triple to knot the score at 3-all and chase SDSU starter Brett Mogen.

The Leathernecks added four runs in the fifth frame.

Drue Galassi singled with one out and moved to second on an error on the play. Adam McGinnis’ ground-rule RBI double made it 4-3.

Fleek stepped up with a two-out RBI single and then stole second. Thompson walked. Visintine followed with a single, and an error on the play allowed Fleek and Thompson to score to put WIU on top 7-3.

The Jackrabbits pushed across single runs in the bottom of the fifth and six.

Newt Johnson walked to open the fifth, chasing WIU starter Ian Koch. Philip Jacobson had a one-out single and Josh Kunzmann tallied a two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-4.

In the sixth, Luke Ringhofer reached on a one-out error and advanced to second on the play. Matt Johnson’s run-scoring hit pulled SDSU within 7-5.

Koch allowed four runs on five hits and five walks with six strikeouts in four-plus innings. J.T. Baksha tossed a scoreless fifth, giving up two hits, and was credited with the win. Pete Minella threw the final four frames, surrendering just one run – unearned – on two hits with six strikeouts, to notch the save.

The Jackrabbits opened the scoring as leadoff hitter Nick Smith drew a walk, moved to third on Ringhofer’s hit and scored on Matt Johnson’s one-out single to right in the first inning.

In the second, Landon Badger walked and Kunzmann singled. Smith reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second. Tony Kjolsing drove in a pair of runs with a ground-rule double to center to make it 3-0.

Ringhofer and Kunzmann both went 2-for-4, and Matt Johnson finished 2-for-5.

SDSU starter Brett Mogen gave up three runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Bryce Hanson took the loss after allowing four runs – two earned – on three hits with two strikeouts and a walk in one inning.

Tyler Olmstead was solid in relief, surrendering just two hits with five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings of action. Brady Stover struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

SDSU (17-22, 10-12) and WIU (18-23, 12-8) face off today and Sunday at 1 p.m. to close out the series.

Notes: The Leathernecks lead the season series 3-1.

WESTERN ILLINOIS 7, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 5

Western Illinois                                   000 340 000 – 7 8 1

South Dakota State                             120 011 000 – 5 9 2

Ian Koch, J.T. Baksha (5), Pete Minella (6) and Adam McGinnis; Brett Mogen, Bryce Hanson (4), Tyler Olmstead (5), Brady Stover (9) and Luke Ringhofer. W – Baksha (1-3). L – Hanson (3-1). Sv – Minella (5). 2B: WIU, McGinnis, Johnathan Fleek; SDSU, Tony Kjolsing, Ringhofer. 3B: WIU, Mitch Ellis.