BISMARCK, ND –
Seth Meide blasted a game-winning three-run home run in the University of Mary's last at bat to lead the Marauders to an 8-5 win over Northern State University. The Wolves rebounded to capture the second game 10-2.
In a game of big innings, the Marauders came up with one more multi-run inning than the Wolves.
Northern State opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the second. UMary immediately responded with four of their own in the home half of two.
Chris Scott and
Darius Barlas opened the second with base hits. Attempting to sacrifice the runners over,
Cody Ghents beat out the throw to first when the Wolves defender looked at force plays at third and second before throwing belatedly to first. The next two UMary hitters fouled out, setting the stage for
Andrew Beyer. The senior centerfielder delivered a two-out single through the right side to score Scott and Barlas to give the Marauders a 2-1 lead. With both runners in scoring position after a defensive gaffe by the Wolves, Meide scored Ghents and Beyer with a single to left, building the lead to 4-1.
The Wolves regained the lead in their next at bats, scoring four times in the top of the third for a 5-4 lead. Seth Sullwold pushed Northern State into the lead with a two-run home run.
Looking for another explosive inning, the Marauders first three hitters reach to load the bases with no outs in the fifth. Instead of another big inning, just one run would cross the plate. UMary tied the contest 5-5 on a sacrifice fly to left by Barlas to score
Travis Stevens.
With
Nicholas Stobbe shutting down the Wolves attack in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, the stage was set for the Marauders to grab the lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Pinch-hitter
Jaxon Ford led off with a single up the middle and took second on a sacrifice bunt. Beyer then walked with one out to set the stage for Meide. Jumping on the first pitch, Meide belted his team-leading third home run of the season over the left field fence for an 8-5 lead.
Taking the ball with a three-run lead,
Cory Dixon proved up to the task of closing out the game. After a lineout to right and a walk, the Marauders senior closer retired the next two hitters on a foul ball and a grounder to first.
Meide finished 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and five RBIs. Beyer went 2-for-3, scored twice and drove in two runs.
Lane Huck, Scott and Stevens also had two hits each as the Marauders rapped out 13 hits to nine for the Wolves.
Stobbe struck out four hitters and walked one in six innings. He allowed seven hits.
Ben Allen led Northern State with two hits and two runs scored.
Slowed by rain, the second contest dragged early on despite first inning excitement. Jack Schmidt opened the scoring with a solo home run to right on a 2-0 pitch.
Immediately the Marauders matched the Wolves run. Meide earned a one-out walk and Stevens followed with a single. Meide advanced to third on a fly ball out to put runners on the corners with two outs. Setting the runners in motion, Meide scored the tying run with Stevens caught in a rundown.
Soon the two teams began moving in opposite directions. Northern State scored once in the fourth, twice in the fifth and four times in the sixth for an 8-1 lead. The Wolves tacked on two more in the eighth. Taking advantage of the Northern State defense, Mary scored an unearned run in the eight to close within 10-2.
Mary (16-18 overall, 9-13 NSIC) was limited to three hits in the contest. Northern State (16-18, 9 13) pounded out ten hits. Sullwold and Ashton Williamson both had three RBIs for the Wolves. Nick Hoffard allowed only three hits and one earned run over eight innings.
The Marauders next host Sioux Falls on April 19.
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