LORMAN, Miss. - Shane Kraemer pitched seven strong innings and the South Dakota State offense recorded double digits for runs for the third time in four games as the Jackrabbit baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Alcorn State with a 10-2 victory Wednesday afternoon.
In running their winning streak to four games, the Jackrabbits improved to 8-3 overall. Alcorn State dropped to 2-12.
For the second consecutive game, SDSU jumped out to an early lead. The first three batters of the game all walked to load the bases. Zach Coppola scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch and Jake Ratz followed with a two-run single that plated both Al Robbins and Andrew Melton.
SDSU upped the lead to 4-0 in the top of the second inning without benefit of a hit. Steven Autenrieth led off with a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice, took third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.
Alcorn State got on the board with an unearned run in the fifth inning, but the Jackrabbits extended their lead with a run in the sixth and four more in the seventh. Paul Jacobson singled to lead off the sixth inning and scored on a groundout, then doubled in the third run of the seventh. Melton and Aaron Machbitz added run-scoring singles in the frame.
Melton continued his torrid start to the season with a 2-for-3 afternoon at the plate, raising his average to .487 (19-for-39). Jacobson also tallied two of SDSU's 10 hits.
Kraemer, who did not allow an earned run, struck out five and walked one while scattering six hits..
Cedric Walker was 3-for-3 to lead the Braves.
The Jackrabbits are scheduled to conclude their Spring Break trip with three games in Terre Haute, Ind., this weekend. SDSU is set to square off against Mercer (Ga.) at noon Eastern Time (11 a.m. Central) Friday, followed by a matchup against host Indiana State.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
10, ALCORN STATE (Miss.) 2
SDSU 310 001 410 10-10-1
ASU 000 010 010 2-8-3
SDSU: Shane Kraemer, Blake Fiedelman (8), J.D. Moore (9) and Steven Autenrieth,
Sam Pack (9). ASU: Justin Lemond, Kevin Gonzalez (6), Harrison Gary (8), Ryan
Fuentes (9) and Edgar Salas.
W-Kraemer (1-1). L-Lemond (0-1). Save-none.
HR: none.
