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SDSU's Bowman throws complete game in 6-3 win
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FarkMatt Bowman turned in a stellar pitching performance, and Cal Lewis provided a go-ahead two-run homer, as South Dakota State tripped Northern Colorado 6-3 in college baseball at Fitzgerald Stadium Friday.
Bowman, a senior from Madera, Calif., tossed a complete game seven-hitter in improving his record to 5-2. More importantly, he did not allow a base on balls.
Lewis' two-run circuit blast in the sixth put the Jackrabbits ahead for good, 4-3.
The two teams, playing the first NCAA Division I baseball game ever in Rapid City, clash again today at 2 p.m. and then Sunday at 1 p.m.
SDSU, improving to 18-14, took a quick 2-0 lead in the first frame on Jake Rogers' leadoff single, Tyson Fisher's run-scoring double off an outfielder's glove and Nick Adams' liner up the middle.
But the Bears, 10-21, came right back in the top of the third on Kevin Sandberg's double, Grady Gorman's blooper to the outfield and Adam Symans' double to right-center.
"After the third inning I kind of got in a zone," Bowman said. "The slider is my pitch. I'm either good or bad with it. I'm not a guy who is going to pump up the radar gun, so I have to rely on my slider and spot it. Not giving up any freebies (walks) adds up."
"Once again Matt answered the call," Jacks' coach Reggie Christiansen said. "He was very good today. He doesn't have a lot of velocity but he puts the ball where he wants it."
Bowman coasted through the third, fourth and fifth innings, but gave up a two-out solo homer to John Ray in the sixth to give the Bears a 3-2 advantage.
"You hate to give up the homer after you get two quick outs, but we got the runs right back," pointed out Bowman.
Lewis, who had fanned two straight times against Bears' starter Eric Mayhew, followed Adams' double with his team-leading eighth round-tripper of the year off the scoreboard in left-center to give SDSU the lead for good.
"I wasn't hitting Mayhew's breaking stuff," Lewis said. "He threw me a change-up, and I knew it was out. I wanted to stand and watch. The home run is nice, but I'd rather do more than 1-for-4."
Lewis said Christiansen has helped him out with his swing this season.
Christiansen had thought about bunting with Adams on second and none out, but let Lewis swing away.
"I had confidence in him," the coach said. "He's been in that spot before and he got a good swing."
SDSU chased Mayhew in the eighth with a two-run inning.
Fisher, Adams, Craig Parry and Tony Martin each had a pair of hits for the Jackrabbits. Ray had a pair for UNC.
"Those runs were key," Christiansen said. "It let Matt settle down. We had a guy ready in relief if the tying run got on, but Matt finished it up."
Left-handed Caleb Thielbar, who has won five straight games, has been tabbed to start today's game against the Bears.
South Dakota State’s Tyson Fisher, right, is safe at home on a sacrifice fly as Northern Colorado catcher John Ray waits for the late throw. (Dick Kettlewell/Journal staff)
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