Brandon, South Dakota - The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs faced the Sioux Falls Cougars in the second round of the double elimination NSIC Tournament. After falling behind early, the Bulldogs used a big second and third inning to propel them to a 9-4 win.
The Cougars got the scoring started in the top of the first as they scored two runs thanks to a single through the left side of the infield to take a 2-0 lead. After the first inning, Ben Sheppard calmed down as he allowed just 6 hits over the next 5.0 innings, including striking out 4 batters and allowing now walks over those 5.0 innings. The Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom of the second inning as
Brandt Kolpack was hit by a pitch with bases loaded as
Alex Wattermann scored.
Tosten Mann followed that up with a single to left field that scored
Ethan Cole and
Austin Gordon to take a 3-2 lead. The Bulldogs scored again in the bottom of the third as a
Ethan Cole single scored
Brodie Paulson.
Austin Gordon then doubled to left field to score
Ethan Cole and
Jack Puder to make it a 6-2 Bulldogs lead. After a scoreless fourth inning, the Bulldogs added another run as
Brodie Paulson scored on a wild pitch. In the bottom fo the sixth inning,
Trevor Gustafson drove in a run on a single through the left side to score
Austin Gordon. Later in the inning,
Brandt Kolpack scored on a wild pitch. The Cougars would add a run in the 8th and 9th innings but would be too little as the Bulldogs won 9-4.
Ethan Cole went 3-4 on the day with two runs and a RBI as
Trevor Gustafson went 2-5 with a RBI.
Tosten Mann and
Austin Gordon added two RBI's on the day. Gordon also drew two walks.
Ben Shepard got the start and the win for the Bulldogs as he went 6.0 innings and gave up 9 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and struck out 6.
Ben Reilley came in for 3.0 innings of relief as he allowed just 4 hits, 2 runs (0 earned runs) and struck out 2 batters. Matt Graham got the start for the Cougars and went 4.2 innings and allowed 6 hits, 7 runs (4 earned runs) and struck out 7 batters.
Who's Next:
The Bulldogs will face the loser of Winona State and Augustana. The game time is set for tonight, May 12th, at 7:00 PM.
