Jackrabbits Still Alive at Summit League Baseball Tournament

The long climb through the Summit League Tournament's losers bracket got off to a good start for South Dakota State Friday at Sioux Falls Baseball Stadium, as the Jackrabbits stayed alive with a 6-3 win over Fort Wayne.

SDSU blew the game open with a five-run second inning, as three of their first four hitters drew walks, forcing in a run, followed by two-run singles from right fielder Scott Splett and left fielder Paul Jacobson.

The Jacks tacked on an insurance run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly from catcher Reid Clary, scoring Mitch Foster from third.

On the mound, Chad Hodges went eight innings, giving up nine hits, while striking out three and walking two.  He allowed the Mastodons single runs in the first and third, as well as a runner he put on base in the ninth, before he gave way to Andrew Clemen.

Top seeded SDSU (28-28) rebounded after Thursday's 4-3 loss to #4 North Dakota State, leaving the Jacks with no margin of error if they are going to NCAA Regional play for the second straight year.

South Dakota State returns to action in another elimination game, Friday night at 7:00pm against the North Dakota State/Western Illinois loser.

With the loss today, Fort Wayne is eliminated from the tournament.