OMAHA — Drew McDowell has now thrown six no-hit innings in consecutive starts, and his latest gem enabled the Jackrabbits to clinch a spot in the Summit League baseball tournament.
McDowell combined with reliver Ty Madison to shut out Omaha 5-0 on Wednesday in the opener of a four-game series, SDSU’s fifth win in their last seven conference games.
The Jacks improved to 21-27 and 12-12 in league play. They were the home team since this was a makeup of a game in Brookings postponed due to weather; Omaha will revert to being the home team for the rest of the series.
McDowell (4-1) wasn’t perfect – he walked three and hit two batters in his six innings of work, but has now worked 12 innings in a row without allowing a hit, after he went the first six in a combined no-hitter against NAIA Buena Vista in his last outing. He tied a career-high with seven strikeouts against the Mavs.
Nate Wachter went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI to lead the SDSU bats. He now has a hit in six straight games and 13 multi-hit games this season. Owen Sieger was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and Nic Werk was 2-for-4 with a double.
It was SDSU’s first win in nine night games this year. Luke Luskey was hit by a pitch for the 18th time, tying a single-season school record.
Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.