The St. Thomas baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader 2-1 and 6-1 against South Dakota State University Sunday at Koch Diamond.
The Tommies (4-17 overall, 1-5 Summit League) kept the series close but were overpowered by five home runs over the three-game series. The Jackrabbits (9-15, 3-3) outscored the Tommies 13 to four over the weekend.
“We’ve got to keep grinding,” coach Chris Olean said. “Come back to work tomorrow and figure out how we can get better.”
GAME ONE
Pitching controlled the first game as St. Thomas first-year pitcher Evan Esch struck out seven batters over 5.2 innings, giving up two runs, one earned.
The Jackrabbits picked up the first run of the game in the third off a solo home run from sophomore second baseman Jordan Sagedahl.
“I look at my mistakes,” Esch said. “I see that home run as something I can improve on.”
South Dakota picked up another run in the top of the fifth after sophomore center fielder Reece Anderson scored on a throwing error. The Tommies responded in the bottom half when senior center fielder Avery Lehman scored on an error, making it 2-1 South Dakota.
First-year pitcher Carl Cano and sophomore pitcher Duke Coborn combined for 3.1 scoreless innings out of the St. Thomas bullpen.
“At least we’re competitive,” Olean said. “Evan (Esch) threw well and the bullpen was pretty good behind him. It’s kind of the same story we’ve been talking about offensively.”
The loss marks the Tommies’ 12th loss by two or fewer runs this season.
GAME TWO
Sophomore pitcher Devon Schewe started game two for the Tommies, pitching three scoreless frames before giving up three runs on two home runs in the fourth. Schewe took the 6-1 loss after throwing five innings, striking out seven along the way.
The Jackrabbits added one in the eighth off a single and added two in the ninth on another two-run home run.
“That strength makes a huge difference when you make a mistake,” Olean said. “For us, we just don’t have that luxury or personnel at this point, so that makes it really tough.”
The Tommies scratched one run across in the bottom of the ninth as junior first baseman Charlie Bartholomew knocked in sophomore second baseman Sam Kulesa to avoid the shutout.
“I think that’s probably as bad as we’ve swung it,” Olean said, “and again, off a guy that I felt we could have done more with than we did.”
Jackrabbits sophomore pitcher Owen Bishop started the game and played into the ninth inning, only allowing four hits while striking out six.
South Dakota closer Ryan Bourassa earned the save as the Jackrabbits swept the Tommies in the weekend series which started with a 2-1 Tommies loss on Friday.
The Tommies play at Koch Diamond again on Tuesday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m. against Waldorf University.
Sam Larson can be reached at lars4378@stthomas.edu.