Jacks Open Season With Win in Dome

The South Dakota State baseball team got up early Monday to start the 2013 season, with a 7:30am first pitch against Waldorf College (IA) at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, and the Jackrabbits responded with a 3-0 win in the seven inning game in Dave Schrage's debut as SDSU head coach.

Senior right hander Stephen Bougher tossed a complete game three hitter.  He struck out seven and walked just one.

The Jacks got on the board in the bottom of the second when first baseman Aaron Machbitz led off with a single, went to second two batters later when shortstop Tyler Shannon singled,  advanced to third when catcher Steven Autenrieth walked, and then scored on center fielder Zach Coppola's fielder's choice.  Left fielder Eric Danforth's sacrifice fly then scored Shannon and the Jacks were up 2-0.

SDSU added another run in the sixth when Shannon singled with one out, went to second on an Autenrieth walk, and then scored on Coppola's single, his second RBI of the day.

Machbitz and Shannon each had two hits to pace a six-hit attack.

After today's twin bill, the Jacks are off to Florida for games with Ohio State and St, Bonaventure (NY) this weekend in Port Charlotte.