SIOUX FALLS, SD – Back to back home runs by Hank Griffin and Isaac Pegors plus a stellar pair of late relief performances by Cole Smith and Sam Hayen lifted the University of Mary baseball team to a 7-6 win at the University of Sioux Falls. It was the third and final game of the weekend between the Marauders and the Cougars.
 
Down 2-1 through two innings, back to back home runs by Griffin and Pegors pushed UMary into a 4-2 lead. Mikey Ramirez opened the inning by reaching on an error before stealing second. With one out Griffin cleared the left field fence for a 2-run home run. Pegors immediately followed with a solo blast over the left field wall.
 
Run-scoring doubles by Ramirez and Griffin grew the Marauders (18-21 overall, 14-6 Northern Sun) lead to 6-2 after four innings.
 
The Cougars (22-22, 18-12) picked up a run in the fifth inning but the Marauders matched it in the seventh on a ground ball by Kieran Gaffney to score Bryce Leafgren and give UMary a 7-3 lead.
 
Sioux Falls closed the gap to one run in the bottom of the seventh. With one run already across the plate, Smith came on in relief and struck out the first batter he faced. After allowing a 2-run double down the left field line, Smith ended the Sioux Falls threat on a line out to left field to leave UMary with a 7-6 lead. Smith then pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
 
UMary scored twice in the ninth to provide some cushion for Hayen but it wasn't needed. The junior righthanded struck out all three Cougars he faced to earn his team-leading fifth save of the season.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Luke Rhee 2-for-4, 1 R
• Hank Griffin 3-for-4, 2B, HR, 1 R, 4 RBIs
• Isaac Pegors 2-for-2, HR, 1 R, 2 RBIs
• Bryce Leafgren 2-for-4, 1 R
• Mikey Ramirez 2-for-4, 2B,  3 R, 1 RBI
• Jeff Tiw 4.0 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks
• Cole Smith 1.2 IP,  H, 1 K (W)
• Sam Hayen 1.0 IP, 0 H, 3 K (SV)
• Ryan Gouldin (USF) 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI

 
STAT OF THE DAY
Hank Griffin finished the 3-game USF series 8-for-9 with four doubles, a home run, five runs scored and six RBIs. He has multiple hits in six straight games and in 8-of-10. Griffin has at least one hit in 13 of his last 15 games.
 
ON DECK
UMary visits Bemidji State University for a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 23, before playing a 3-game series at Southwest Minnesota State University on April 26-27.
 
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