BROOKINGS, S.D. - The Mavericks could not match South Dakota State's offensive output today as they were defeated in both games of Sunday's doubleheader, losing 3-9 in game one and 9-12 in game two.
After getting swept in the series, Omaha drops to 12-17 on the year and 4-8 in the Summit League, while the Jackrabbits improve to 13-17 with a 7-5 conference record.
Game 1
The Mavericks found themselves in an early 3-0 hole after two innings as the Jackrabbits started the day with three straight hits and later got a solo home run in the second. In the third,
Cam Frederick got Omaha on the board with one of the more unconventional trips around the bases as he singled to center, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and finally scored on a double steal attempt.
Still down by two in the top of the fifth,
Drew Lechnir made it a one run game as he launched one to deep right center for his first home run of the season. This would be as close as the Mavericks would get, however, as the Jackrabbits would hit five more home runs over the next four innings to take a 9-2 lead going into the final inning. Though
Zach Lechnir managed to drive his brother home in the top of the ninth, it was too little too late as Omaha dropped game one.
Game 2
Down 1-0 after the first, the Mavericks cashed in on a Jackrabbits error in the second as
Drew Lechnir lined a single to right to score
Brennen Bales who reached on an error by the right fielder. After falling behind 7-1 in the bottom of the inning on three more SDSU home runs, Bales cranked a two-run shot to center for Omaha's first home run of the game to make it 7-3.
The Mavericks had a golden opportunity to do some serious damage in the fourth as they loaded the bases with one out, but an RBI single from
Matt Goetzmann was all they would get as a double play cut the rally short. In the top of the sixth, Omaha continued to inch closer as an RBI fielder's choice for
Drew Reetz made it 8-5. Then, for the second time today, Bales crushed another two-run home run later in the inning to get Omaha within one run.
The next inning,
Zach Lechnir got in on the home run parade and mashed a two-run homer of his own after
Eddie Satisky reached on an error to give the Mavericks their first lead in the series at 9-8.
Meanwhile,
Jackson Gordon, making his first appearance since March 28 at Arkansas, was completely lights out for the Mavericks. Entering the game with the Mavericks down 8-3 after three, he blanked the Jackrabbits through four innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four. Things eventually came undone in the bottom of the eighth, however, as Gordon came in for his fifth inning and, with two outs, gave up four runs as South Dakota State went up 12-9, ultimately riding their new lead to another win.
Inside the Box Score
Bales has two games this season with a home run in it. In both games he has hit two home runs.
Frederick's two steals in game one mark the first time this season and only the second time in his career that he's stolen multiple bases in the same game, last doing so vs. Rutgers on March 20, 2022.
For just the second time in his career,
Mike Boeve went 4-for-4 today in game two. But that was not enough for one of the NCAA's top hitters. Instead he did one better and ended the day 5-for-5, becoming the first Maverick to get five hits in a single game since Matt Bondarchuk vs. Purdue Fort Wayne back on April 21, 2019, and the first do go 5-for-5 since Ryan Keele vs. Purdue Fort Wayne on May 4, 2013.
Up Next
The Mavericks do not have a midweek game next week and will instead return to action at Tal Anderson Field on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. when they open a three-game, non-conference series vs. Lindenwood.
