Jacks win rain-shortened game over IPFW

Friday, May 8

Huether Field

3 p.m.

South Dakota State University

IPFW

Jacks claim series with 9-4 victory at Murray

5/8/2009 7:00:00 PM | Baseball

By: SDSU Sports Info

Jesse Sawyer hit his team-leading 16^th home run before rain ended play in the bottom of the fifth inning with South Dakota State leading IPFW 7-0 in Summit League baseball action Friday afternoon at Erv Huether Field.

With the rain-shortened victory, the Jackrabbits extended their Summit League winning streak to nine games and improved to 12-8 in league play and 19-26 overall. IPFW dropped to 3-18 in The Summit League, 10-35 overall.

The Jackrabbits wasted little time to break into the scoring column, scoring four times in the bottom of the first inning. Joel Blake singled to lead off the inning and John Lee reached on an error before Sawyer homered to center field off IPFW starter Tyler Baatz. Sawyer's home run put him one shy of the school record of 17 set by Terry VanEngelenhoven in 1993. Later in the inning, Tony Martin singled and later scored from third base on a failed pickoff attempt at first base.

SDSU tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth to go up 6-0. Sawyer walked with one out and moved to third on a Martin double. Sawyer later scored on a passed ball and Martin scored on a base hit by Stephen Turner, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games.

The final run of the game scored in the fifth inning as Joel Blake doubled and scored on a base hit by John Lee. SDSU had runners at first and second with one out when the game was called.

Sam Pieczynski pitched three shutout innings in a starting role for SDSU, striking out three to go along with three hits allowed. Mike Robinson pitched the next two innings and also struck out three.

Martin was 3-for-3, while Blake and Turner each had two the Jackrabbits' 11 hits.

Joel Washko posted two of IPFW's six hits. The Mastodons left the bases loaded in the fifth inning and stranded seven runners in the game.

The two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 7, IPFW 0 (5 inn.)
IPFW 000 00 0-6-2
SDSU 400 21 7-11-0
IPFW: Tyler Baatz, Matt Antos (3), Andrew Emge (4), Josh Shatto (5) and Devin Taylor. SDSU: Sam Pieczynski, Mike Robinson (4) and Tony Martin.
W-Piecynski (5-3). L-Baatz (0-4).
HR: SDSU-Jesse Sawyer (16).