Stephen F. Austin
South Dakota State
Gann, 'Jacks Outlast Jackrabbits, 1-0
2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Stephen F. Austin 1, South Dakota State 0
Jaycees Field • Nacogdoches, Texas
Records: SFA (3-7); SDSU (1-4)
Up Next: vs. South Dakota State (doubleheader) • Saturday, Feb. 28 • 1 p.m.
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A strong pitching performance and one run in the fifth was all Stephen F. Austin needed to defeat South Dakota State 1-0 at Jaycees Field Friday afternoon. SFA improves to 3-7 on the year and 2-3 at home in 2015.
The Lumberjacks managed just three hits against the Jackrabbits, who countered with seven of their own. The two teams met for the first time since the 1986 season as SFA improved to 7-2 all-time against SDSU.
SFA got its one run on just three hits while committing two errors while South Dakota State was held off the scoreboard with seven hits and a pair of errors of its own. It marked the first meeting between the two schools since the 1986 season as SFA improves to 7-2 all-time against the Jackrabbits.
After four and a half scoreless innings, SFA made its noise in the fifth. After Garrett McMullen reached on an error, Tyler Boxwell singled up the middle, advancing McMullen to third. Anthony Soriano then knocked a deep sacrifice fly to right center, allowing McMullen to score from third and giving SFA its lone run of the day.
But that one run was all the `Jacks needed as starter Cameron Gann went 7.1 innings, allowing seven hits and five strikeouts with just two walks on 100 total pitches, improving to 2-1 on the season. Austin Smith picked up the five-out save allowing no runs and no hits in his 1.2 innings of work.
South Dakota State threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with just one out. But SFA turned a crucial double play to end the inning, one of three in the game for the `Jacks, keeping the Jackrabbits off the board.
SDSU threatened again in the ninth as a fielding error by McMullen put a baserunner on second with one out, who then advanced to third on a ground out. McMullen would get a chance to atone for his miscue, however, running down a fly ball to left center to end the game and preserve the win for SFA.
Nick Ramos had two of SFA's three hits on the day, going 2-for-3. Boxwell had the other `Jack single as Conner Fikes drew a walk, leading to the only baserunners of the day for SFA.
The three-game series continues Saturday as threatening weather conditions Sunday have forced a change to the schedule. SFA and South Dakota State will now play a Saturday doubleheader, getting underway at 1 p.m. with the second game to follow 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first.
-SFA-
