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SDSU baseball welcomes first-place Oral Roberts for big Summit League series
TL;DR
South Dakota State baseball is set to host first-place Oral Roberts for a crucial three-game Summit League series at Erv Huether Field. Despite a challenging non-conference start, the Jackrabbits have shown potential for success this season.
Apr. 15—BROOKINGS — It's a big weekend for South Dakota State baseball, as the Jackrabbits host Summit League-leading and perennial mid-major power Oral Roberts for a three-game series at Erv Huether Field.
ORU is on top again, while the Jackrabbits are quietly playing well.
The Jacks have taken their lumps in non-conference play, as they sometimes do.
Playing away from home against teams from warmer climates and in some cases more powerful conferences, the Jackrabbits lost five of their first six games to start the season, and are 6-15 overall against teams outside the Summit League.
But amid those losses were signs of a team with a chance to be successful this season. They suffered one-run losses to Nebraska, Minnesota and Oklahoma State (twice), and got their pitching staff under control after an early-season debacle that saw them allow 73 runs in their first five games.
Since Summit League play began, the Jacks have been holding their own. They're 6-6 in conference play, having won six of nine since getting swept by Oral Roberts in Tulsa. Now they get another shot at the Golden Eagles.
The Eagles are 24-10 overall and 10-1 in league play, while SDSU is 12-21 and 6-6, putting them one game back of Omaha for second place. But a look at the run differential's suggests these are the Summit League's two best teams. ORU has outscored its conference opponents 80-25, while SDSU has enjoyed a 100-60 advantage. No other team is in the black.
Though the Jacks were swept in their first series with ORU, they competed. They lost the first two games 4-3 and 3-1, and were tied 1-1 through five innings in the third before the Eagles pulled away late to win 12-2.
Since then both teams have been on a good run.
The Jacks took two of three from NDSU, Northern Colorado and St. Thomas, while Oral Roberts got off to a 10-0 start in league play before dropping the final game of a three-game set in Omaha in extra innings.
SDSU is 3-1 at Erv Huether Field, while ORU is 6-8 on the road.
The Jacks are hitting .270/.386/.398 as a team, but against their conference peers that slash line is .297/.415/.470. Similarly, while they have an unsightly 7.35 overall ERA (thanks in part to that brutal start), that number is 5.28 in the league.
Owen Siegert leads the Jacks and is second in the conference with a .343 average at the plate, while Nolan Grawe (.326, 2 HR, 30 RBI), Carter Taylor (.305, 3 HR) and Luke Luskey, who's hitting .282 and leads the Summit League with six homers and 31 RBI, have also been good with the bat.
Sam Schlecht (3-2, 4.61) and Sam Novotny (2-3, 5.15) have been coach Rob Bishop's two most consistent starting pitchers, while Austin Henry (2.84) and Tristan Augedahl (3.63) have led the bullpen. Kaden Rylance has gone 2-0 with a 3.37 ERA in two starts in conference play.
The Eagles are led by Makani Tanaka (.321, 5 HR, 25 RBI) at the plate, while they feature three of the league's top starting pitchers in Easton Teel (3-1, 2.11), Nathan Love (2-1, 3.92) and Conner Johnson (1-1, 4.19).
Oral Roberts (24-10, 10-1) at South Dakota State (12-21, 6-6)
at Erv Huether Field in Brookings
Friday, 3 p.m.
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Q&A
What is the significance of the SDSU vs. Oral Roberts baseball series?
The series is significant as it features the Summit League-leading Oral Roberts facing off against South Dakota State, which is looking to improve its standings.
How has South Dakota State baseball performed in non-conference play this season?
South Dakota State has struggled in non-conference play, with a record of 6-15 against teams outside the Summit League, including five losses in their first six games.
What challenges did SDSU baseball face early in the season?
SDSU baseball faced challenges such as a tough schedule against stronger teams and a struggling pitching staff that allowed 73 runs in their first five games.
Where is the SDSU vs. Oral Roberts baseball series being held?
The series is being held at Erv Huether Field, the home field of South Dakota State University.
