Jackrabbits split twinbill at Western

Saturday, March 26

Macomb, Ill.

11:00 AM

South Dakota State University

4-17, 2-3

Western Illinois

5-15, 3-2

South Dakota State

Western Illinois

3/26/2016 7:45:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MACOMB, Ill. – The South Dakota State University baseball team put together its biggest inning of the season in the opener, but was blanked in the second game of the day as the Jackrabbits split a Summit League doubleheader with Western Illinois Saturday at Alfred Boyer Stadium.

The Jackrabbits, who moved to 4-18 overall and 2-4 in The Summit League, erupted for seven runs in the first inning, sending 11 men to the plate and knocking out Fighting Leatherneck starter Ian Koch after two-thirds of an inning, en route to an 11-3 victory in the opener. Cody Sharrow and Nick Smith each delivered two-run doubles in the frame, while Matt Johnson and Phil Velez also plated runs. Velez added a two-run single in the fourth inning as SDSU built its lead to 10-1.

Jesse Munsterman, who had a career-high five hits in six trips to the plate, capped the scoring with a solo home run to lead off the eighth inning. Smith and Johnson each tallied two of the Jackrabbits' 15 hits in the contest.

Right-hander Ethan Kenkel, who was making his first start of the season, limited Western Illinois to three runs and three hits over four innings. Kenkel struck out five and walked three.

Landon Busch pitched the final five innings to earn his team-best third win of the season. Busch fanned five batters over five shutout innings and has allowed only one run over 16 innings in his four appearances since moving to the bullpen.

Adam McGinnis notched two of WIU's six hits.

In the nitecap, three Western Illinois pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout as the Fighting Leathernecks claimed the decisive game of the three-game series, 2-0.

Joe Mortiallaro struck out 11 batters over six innings, which was followed by two shutout innings from Nick Milligan. Ricky Digrugilliers struck out two batters in the ninth inning to earn the save.

WIU scored the only run it would need in the bottom of the first inning. Roman Visintine led off with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Currier. The Fighting Leathernecks added a run in the fourth as Dave Dobrinich tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a base hit by C.J. Schaeffer.

Luke Ringhofer posted two hits for the Jackrabbits, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. Ringhofer is batting .541 (20-for-37) during his current streak.

Jackrabbit starter Ryan Froom turned in his best outing of the season, striking out seven and walking two over six innings.

Weather permitting, the Jackrabbits are scheduled to play their home opener Wednesday with a doubleheader against Dakota Wesleyan. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Erv Huether Field.

Game 1: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 11, WESTERN ILLINOIS 3
SDSU     710         200         010         11-15-1
WIU       001         200         000         3-6-2
SDSU: Ethan Kenkel, Landon Busch (5) and Luke Ringhofer. WIU: Ian Koch, Matthew Sturchio (1), Sam Cottingham-Beard (5), Colan Borchers (9) and Adam McGinnis.
W-Busch (3-2). L-Koch (0-3). Save-none.
HR: SDSU-Jesse Munsterman (1).

Game 2: WESTERN ILLINOIS 2, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 0
SDSU     000         000         000         0-5-0
WIU       100         100         00X         2-7-1
SDSU: Ryan Froom, Greg Casper (7), Chris Halbur (8) and Luke Ringhofer. WIU: Joe Mortillaro, Nick Milligan (7), Ricky Digrugilliers (9) and C.J. Schaeffer.
W-Mortillaro (1-3). L-Froom (0-5). Save-Digrugilliers (1).
HR: none.