SDSU drops exhibition to Canaries, 2-1

Tuesday, May 8

Sioux Falls, S.D.

6:30 p.m.

South Dakota State University

Sioux Falls Canaries (exhib.)

5/8/2007 10:00:00 PM | Baseball

By: SDSU Sports Info

SIOUX FALLS ? Will Smith homered on the first pitch of the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Sioux Falls Canaries a 2-1 victory over South Dakota State in an exhibition baseball game Tuesday night at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Canaries, who are members of the independent minor-league American Association, took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as James Shanks doubled to lead off the frame against SDSU starter Kirby Morsching and scored on a groundout by Abner Arroyo.

After having a first-inning rally thwarted in the first inning, the Jackrabbits tied the game in the fourth inning with three straight two-out singles. Craig Parry started the rally with an infield single, moved to third on a base hit by Tony Martin and scored on Chris Iverson's single through the right side.

Parry had two of SDSU's six hits.

The game remained tied until Smith's long ball against Jackrabbit reliever Dalton Decker.

SDSU was held without a hit after the fifth inning. Kevin Cheppenko earned the victory for the Canaries, with Trey Keoppel picking up a two-inning save. Six different Jackrabbit pitchers worked in the game.

The Jackrabbits, 25-18 overall, return to collegiate action this weekend by hosting IPFW in a four-game series at Bob Shelden Field in Brookings. Saturday's doubleheader is slated for a noon start, with Sunday's twinbill set for an 11 a.m. start.