NSU DEFENSE HOLDS AS WOLVES TAKE TWO FROM COUGARS

April 22, 2003

Aberdeen, SD - NSU pitching gave up just two runs in two games on Tueday as the Wolves swept past Minnesota, Morris 3-1 and 7-1 in non-conference baseball action at Fossum Field. NSU's Wes Fisbeck and Joe Dinger each recorded complete game wins for the home team and moved the Northern State baseball record to 11-27 on the year.

Northern State scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and played solid defense en route to a 3-1 victory over Minnesota, Morris on Tuesday. The Wolves and Cougars were tied at 1-1 until NSU's Dave Holoch scored on a ball that got away from UMM right fielder John Hoemberg on a Jay Duehring single to right in the bottom of the sixth. Duehring then tacked on Northern's third run on a Steve Rixen RBI single to seal the win for NSU. Wes Fisbeck got things done on both sides of the plate in the game going 3-for-3 with a double batting and pitching all seven innings and earning his fourth win of the season. Fisbeck struck out six in the game. NSU's Deacon Burns cranked his ninth home run of the season in the contest as the sophomore went 1-for-2 on the game.

Northern State scored five in the second inning and got a solid outing from pitcher Joe Dinger as the Wolves completed the sweep over Minnesota, Morris with a 7-1 win over the Cougars in Aberdeen. The Wolves took a 7-0 lead into the top of the sixth when UMM broke up the shutout with three singles. Jay Duehring and Joel Backous each collected three hits in the game with Duehring going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored and Backous going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Dinger threw all seven innings allowing one earned run on nine hits and four strikeouts.

Northern State is scheduled to travel to Jamestown for a doubleheader with the Jimmies on Thursday followed by a trip to St. Paul, Minn. to face NSIC rivals Concordia-St. Paul over the weekend.