by Nathan Daggett / @daggett_nathan / sports@kvsc.org (PHOTO : SCSU Athletics)

In the final series before the NSIC Conference Tournament, St. Cloud State (34-9, 22-7 NISC) traveled to face Southwest Minnesota State (10-25, 9-21 NSIC)

The Husky bats were hot early on Friday, scoring 5 runs in the 1^st inning, thanks to catcher Toran Shahidi hitting a grand slam.  Mathew Meyer would hit a 2 run Home Run in the 2^nd inning to give SCSU a 7-0 lead.  A rain delay would push the game to have to be resumed Saturday morning and the Huskies strong hitting would continue as later in the game, Toran Shahidi would hit another blast in the 5^th inning to add to the score, 10-1.  The hit parade would not stop for SCSU as they would combine to finish with 17 hits and score 18 runs in the victory over SMSU 18-6.  Blake Flint pitched 4 complete innings, only allowing 1 earned run and improves to 7-2 on the season.  Trevor Koeing, Zack Iten and Kyle Boser all pitched 1 inning in relief for the Huskies.

In the 2^nd game, it was the Mustangs who would get going early thanks to a 2-run home run by second basemen, Jayden Fleck and a pair of RBI’s by Kip Gronholz and Nathan Kuhn to give SMSU a 4-2 lead.  SCSU would answer in the 5^th inning after a bases loaded walk that allowed Dylan Haskamp to score.  The Huskies couldn’t scratch out any more runs in the inning and SMSU would go on to win the 2^nd game, 5-3.  SCSU Senior pitcher, Sheldon Miks would be the loser as he falls to 7-3 on the year.  Miks pitched 5 innings and allowed 4 earned runs. 

In the final game between the two, the Huskies would jump out to a 2-0 lead after the 1^st inning.  Thanks to Toran Shahidi and Caeden Harris both hitting RBI singles.  Shortstop, Jordan Joseph would also hit an RBI single in the 2^nd inning to add to the Huskies lead.  In the bottom half of the 2^nd inning, SMSU would take the lead, 4-3 after Huskies pitcher, Shannon Ahern would walk 2 with the bases loaded.  Toran Shahidi stayed hot on the day as he hit another home run in the 5^th inning to tie the game 4-4.  In the final inning, the Huskies would take the go ahead lead after Dylan Haskamp hit an RBI single, scoring Jordan Joseph.  SCSU Senior pitcher, Matt Butler came into the game in relief of Shannon Ahern, to get the win.  Butler pitched 4 strong innings in relief as he only allowed 2 hits and no runs. 

After the 3-game series, St. Cloud State finishes the regular season with a 37-10, 26-8 NSIC record.  They finish 3^rd in the NISC standings, falling just behind both Augustana and Minnesota State.

You can follow the Huskies during the NSIC Conference Tournament by tuning into the KVSC Sports Stream.  Game times are still to be determined.