Jacks squeeze past Minnesota

Wednesday, April 23

Sioux Falls, S.D.

6:30 p.m.

South Dakota State University

Minnesota

4/23/2008 1:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: SDSU Sports Info

SIOUX FALLS -- Tony Martin plated Tyson Fisher with a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting South Dakota State past Minnesota, 5-4, Wednesday night at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Jackrabbits improved to 17-19 overall in ending an 11-game losing streak against Minnesota dating back to 1966. The Golden Gophers dropped to 16-22.

Fisher led off the 10th inning by advancing all the way to second base when his fly ball was dropped by the left fielder. Craig Parry then advanced Fisher to third base with a sacrifice bunt, setting up Martin's heroics. After Minnesota opted against intentionally walking Martin, the junior catcher dropped a perfectly placed bunt on a 2-1 pitch between the third-base line and the pitcher's mound to score the game-winner.

SDSU took a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a three-run home run down the right-field line by Nick Adams off Golden Gopher starter Scott Fern.

Minnesota scored its first run othe game in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded walk to Derek McCallum. Matt Spinar, on in relief of Jackrabbit starter Mike Robinson, prevented further damage as the first batter he faced, Michael Kvasnicka, lined into a double play and Tom Stiedl grounded out to end the inning.

The Jackrabbits got the run back in the home half of the fourth without a hit. Stephen Turner walked to open the inning and later scored on an RBI groundout by Korby Mintken.

Minnesota scored twice in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Nate Hanson and sacrifice fly off the bat of McCallum, then tied the game with a run in the seventh.

The game remained knotted at 4-all in large part to effective relief pitching by Minnesota's Chauncy Handran and SDSU's Kirby Morsching. Handran allowed only two hits and struck out six in pitching six scoreless innings. Morsching was equal to the task for the Jackrabbits, logging three scoreless innings in which he allowed one hit and one walk, improving to 2-4 on the season.

Dustin Klabunde, who gave up the unearned run in the 10th, took the loss for Minnesota.

Billy Stitz was 3-for-4 for the Jackrabbits. Minnesota held an 8-7 edge in hits, with Eric Decker, Hanson and McCallum each collecting two hits.

SDSU returns to Summit League action Saturday, hosting Western Illinois in a doubleheader at the new Huether Field. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. A stadium dedication ceremony will be held between games.

SDSU 5, MINNESOTA 4 (10 inn.)

MINN	000	102	100	0	4-8-1
SDSU	030	100	000	1	5-7-3

MINN: Scott Fern, Chauncy Handran (4), Dustin Klabunde (10) and Kyle Knudson. SDSU: Mike Robinson, Matt Spinar (4), Isaac Johnson (5), Jared Koch (6), Caleb Thielbar (7), Kirby Morsching (8) and Tony Martin.
W-Morsching (2-4). L-Klabunde (0-1).
HR: SDSU-Nick Adams (2).