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Extra inning doom
Minnesota defeats SDSU 19-13 in Sioux Falls debut
Brent Zell
Argus Leader
published: 04/21/05
Say one thing for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits: They know how to give a crowd its money's worth.
Fans who braved Wednesday's iffy weather at Sioux Falls Stadium got a big-time opponent in the University of Minnesota, a bunch of momentum swings and some extra-inning action.
The only thing the Jackrabbits didn't give their fans in SDSU's first appearance in Sioux Falls as a Division I member was a win.
The Jacks rallied in the bottom of the ninth to tie Minnesota, only to see the Golden Gophers rack up six runs in the 10th inning to prevail 19-13 before 1,073 fans.
The Gophers, co-leaders in the Big 10, didn't use any of their top starting pitchers Wednesday. However, Minnesota (18-15) did employ most of its regular starting lineup, and the Jacks (10-25) kept pace. The teams engaged in an offensive explosion in Sioux Falls, combining for three lead changes, 33 hits and 12 pitching changes.
But in the 10th, the Gophers had just a bit more firepower to secure their second win over SDSU this season. Minnesota held off SDSU 8-5 on April 13.
"We think we can play with anybody," said SDSU coach Reggie Christiansen."Whether we can or can't, that's not a concern. Our kids believe you've still got to hit it, still got to pitch it, and still got to catch it. We feel like we're doing that as good as we possibly can."
Minnesota took a 13-10 lead into the bottom of the ninth. The first three SDSU batters reached base, highlighted by Chris Iverson's RBI single.
The Jacks had two runners in scoring position with two outs when Tim Hanigan looped a single to left to plate the tying runs.
"(The pitch) had a little movement on it and kind of broke back toward the middle and down," said Hanigan. "I just tried to drive it up the middle and hooked it a little and I knew it was over the shortstop's head right when I hit it"
Minnesota responded with authority in the 10th. David Hrncirik and Kevin Carlson singled to open the inning. Then, up came backup infielder Joe Maciej. The late-inning replacement swung on a 1-0 fastball from SDSU pitcher Gary Olechoski and crushed the ball over the wall in right-centerfield.
"I've been trying to get Joe some at-bats and get him in the game because he's been swinging the bat better in practice," said Minnesota coach John Anderson. "I like his approach."
The Gophers continued to pour it on, turning three more hits and a walk into three runs.
Minnesota relief pitcher Andy Peters retired the Jacks in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.
Tony Lane had three hits and five RBIs for SDSU, while Korby Mintken had three hits and scored three runs. For Minnesota, Matt Fornasiere had four hits, five RBIs and three runs.
Despite the loss, Christiansen felt it was a good experience for the Jacks.
"This isn't Brookings, but we felt like it was home," said Christiansen. "It was exciting for our guys."
The Jacks travel to Utah Valley State this weekend for a double header, then return to Sioux Falls for a game against Creighton at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Extra inning doom
Minnesota defeats SDSU 19-13 in Sioux Falls debut
Brent Zell
Argus Leader
published: 04/21/05
Say one thing for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits: They know how to give a crowd its money's worth.
Fans who braved Wednesday's iffy weather at Sioux Falls Stadium got a big-time opponent in the University of Minnesota, a bunch of momentum swings and some extra-inning action.
The only thing the Jackrabbits didn't give their fans in SDSU's first appearance in Sioux Falls as a Division I member was a win.
The Jacks rallied in the bottom of the ninth to tie Minnesota, only to see the Golden Gophers rack up six runs in the 10th inning to prevail 19-13 before 1,073 fans.
The Gophers, co-leaders in the Big 10, didn't use any of their top starting pitchers Wednesday. However, Minnesota (18-15) did employ most of its regular starting lineup, and the Jacks (10-25) kept pace. The teams engaged in an offensive explosion in Sioux Falls, combining for three lead changes, 33 hits and 12 pitching changes.
But in the 10th, the Gophers had just a bit more firepower to secure their second win over SDSU this season. Minnesota held off SDSU 8-5 on April 13.
"We think we can play with anybody," said SDSU coach Reggie Christiansen."Whether we can or can't, that's not a concern. Our kids believe you've still got to hit it, still got to pitch it, and still got to catch it. We feel like we're doing that as good as we possibly can."
Minnesota took a 13-10 lead into the bottom of the ninth. The first three SDSU batters reached base, highlighted by Chris Iverson's RBI single.
The Jacks had two runners in scoring position with two outs when Tim Hanigan looped a single to left to plate the tying runs.
"(The pitch) had a little movement on it and kind of broke back toward the middle and down," said Hanigan. "I just tried to drive it up the middle and hooked it a little and I knew it was over the shortstop's head right when I hit it"
Minnesota responded with authority in the 10th. David Hrncirik and Kevin Carlson singled to open the inning. Then, up came backup infielder Joe Maciej. The late-inning replacement swung on a 1-0 fastball from SDSU pitcher Gary Olechoski and crushed the ball over the wall in right-centerfield.
"I've been trying to get Joe some at-bats and get him in the game because he's been swinging the bat better in practice," said Minnesota coach John Anderson. "I like his approach."
The Gophers continued to pour it on, turning three more hits and a walk into three runs.
Minnesota relief pitcher Andy Peters retired the Jacks in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.
Tony Lane had three hits and five RBIs for SDSU, while Korby Mintken had three hits and scored three runs. For Minnesota, Matt Fornasiere had four hits, five RBIs and three runs.
Despite the loss, Christiansen felt it was a good experience for the Jacks.
"This isn't Brookings, but we felt like it was home," said Christiansen. "It was exciting for our guys."
The Jacks travel to Utah Valley State this weekend for a double header, then return to Sioux Falls for a game against Creighton at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
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