Northern Colorado Opens Summit League Play with Dramatic Win

Friday, March 24

Colorado Springs, Colo.

12 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

3-15, 0

South Dakota State

4-13, 0

South Dakota State

Northern Colorado

3/24/2023 9:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Dennis Driscoll, UNC Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Caden Wagner drilled a three-run home in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel Northern Colorado past South Dakota State in the Summit League series opener 9-7.

The game featured plenty of offense from both teams.

SDSU scored in the top of the first inning, however, UNC promptly responded.

In its part of the first inning, the Bears loaded the bases and put pressure on SDSU pitcher Jack Kruger.

Facing a full count, Craig Kenny walked to score Hayden Heinze and Jackson Romero was hit by a pitch to score Jake King.

Dominic Palma then pushed across two runs with a single to the gap between left and center field.

Austin Bunn added to the Bears' lead in the bottom of the second with an RBI double down the left field line.

The Jackrabbits rallied and took a 7-5 lead into the eighth inning.

Prior to Wagner's home run, Bunn added his second RBI in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to one at 7-6.

Wagner batted 2-for-3 with three RBI and walked one. Bunn finished 2-for-5 and King batted 2-for-4 and scored two runs.

Kevin Sharp entered in relief and earned the win. Sharp tossed two and one third innings, allowed one hit and fanned three batters.

Trey Cruz started absorbed a no decision. The lefty tossed four innings and scattered five hits, allowed five runs and walked three batters while striking out seven.

In game two of the doubleheader SDSU defeated the Bears in seven innings 17-3.

The two teams complete their series Sunday at noon.