Sunday, April 2
Winona, Minn.
3:00 p.m. CT
St. Cloud State
at
Winona State
Photo by: Ryan Roehl
Huskies trek to Winona for weekend series
3/31/2023 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
Key early-season conference games await St. Cloud State as Huskies look to climb NSIC standings
ST. CLOUD, Minn – St. Cloud State Baseball (13-9, 5-2 NSIC) continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend with a three-game series at Winona State (10-15, 6-4 NSIC) in Winona, Minnesota. The Huskies and Warriors will play a doubleheader on Sunday, April 2 beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT at Loughrey Field with the finale set for a noon start on Monday, April 3.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
All three games of the series will be featured on the NSIC Network with live stats provided by Winona State. Fans can find links to each streaming option on the SCSU Baseball schedule page.
LAST TIME OUT
The Huskies struggled to manufacture runs in their midweek finale at Upper Iowa on Tuesday as Peacock starter Kyle Hrncir allowed just two runs on three hits while pitching into the sixth. Huskies spot starter David Van Ort threw well in his first bump of the season, allowing just two hits and punching out one across 2.1 scoreless. The Peacocks got to the SCSU bullpen in the fourth and fifth, building a 3-0 lead entering the sixth. The Huskies loaded the bases in the top of the sixth for Tyler Schiller (0-for-1, 2 BB, HBP, RBI), who promptly brought home the visitor's first run by wearing a fastball in the back. Tate Wallat (1-for-2, BB, RBI, SH) drew a walk one batter later to cut the deficit to 3-2. Upper Iowa responded with two in the home half. Sam Riola (0-for-5, R) reached on a fielder's choice in the seventh, stole second and scored on a Ben Clapp (2-for-5, RBI) single, making it a 5-3 ball game. The Peacocks added another after the stretch, then watched their top two relievers close out the split-salvaging win. Drew Bulson (2-for-3) provided a multi-hit effort while Kole Krier struck out four over 2.1 innings of one-run relief.
STANDINGS & SUCH
A critical stretch awaits SCSU as each of their next four series feature conference rivals currently in the top eight of the NSIC standings. The Huskies are a game and a half out of first, sitting in third place with a 5-2 conference record. Winona State is tied for seventh with Minot State, 1.5 games ahead of Mary.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
Winona State enters the weekend tilt with a 10-15 record and a 6-3 mark in NSIC play. Second baseman Kyle Yu has starred at the top of the order, slashing .355/.438/.461 for an .899 OPS with 10 stolen bases and an impressive 12.2% walk rate. WSU's lineup doesn't feature much power, currently tied for last in the league with just seven home runs while landing 12th in slugging percentage. First baseman Cooper Kapanke (.287/.417/.460, .876 OPS, 6 2B) is the lone Warrior with multiple long balls - leading the club with three - and paces the team with 18 RBI. Veteran catcher Derek Baumgartner is off to a strong start, hitting .338 with a team-best eight doubles and throwing out a league-leading six runners behind the plate. Fellow backstop Dane Weiland is fifth in the NSIC with five runners thrown out, providing WSU with strong control of the opposing run game. Justin Firpo (2-1, 4.10 ERA, 26.1 IP, 1.63 WHIP, 20:14 K:BB), Bailey Banaszynski (1-2, 4.91 ERA, 18.1 IP, 1.75 WHIP, 19:15 K:BB) and Pierce Gritzmaker (0-3, 6.52 ERA, 19.1 IP, 1.81 WHIP, 8:9 K:BB) make up the weekend rotation while relievers Nevin Wall (2 SV, 5 APP, 2.84 ERA, 12.2 IP, 5:3 K:BB), John Breske (10 APP, 4.76 ERA, 5.2 IP, 4:3 K:BB) and Davis Zeutzius (8 APP, 3.27 ERA, 11.0 IP, 14:5 K:BB) have provided some stability out of the bullpen.
NOT-SO-FAMILIAR PLACE
This weekend's series in Winona will mark the first series between the Huskies and Warriors actually played at Loughrey Field since March 24-25, 2012. Since that weekend tilt held in Winona, SCSU and the Warrirors have played in Omaha, Mauston, Sioux Falls and River Falls in addition to six tilts in St. Cloud.
IN THE HUNT
Following a brief hiatus, St. Cloud State is back in the NCBWA Central Region Poll - appearing in the No. 10 spot after winning eight of their last nine. The Huskies are the second-highest NSIC team in the regional rankings behind No. 5 Minnesota State-Mankato and one of four conference teams to receive recognition as both Minot State and Minnesota Crookston appeared on at least one ballot.
WIZARD OF WHIFF
Redshirt sophomore southpaw Luke Tupy is fresh off striking out 10 batters in his last start against Augustana on March 25, recording 22 swinging strikes on 99 pitches. Tupy's ability to miss bats with his fastball has allowed the lefthander to pile up 114 strikeouts over 72.1 career collegiate innings, producing a 14.18 K/9 mark alongside a downright ridiculous 38.9% strikeout rate. Over his three seasons with SCSU, the New Prague product is 9-2 with a 1.74 ERA and a 1.76 FIP across 15 starts, holding batters to a .169 average and a .524 OPS.
THE TABLE IS SET
Junior centerfielder John Nett is enjoying a phenomenal campaign leading off a potent Huskies lineup that leads the NSIC in runs per game and on-base percentage while ranking top-four in nearly every major category. Nett is slashing .440/.525/.702 for a 1.227 OPS with 27 runs scored, 11 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 21 RBI. Entering the weekend, Nett ranks second across the NSIC in hits and doubles; fourth in batting average and on-base percentage; fifth in runs scored and seventh in OPS while landing eighth in both slugging percentage and stolen bases.
WALK THIS WAY
Junior left fielder Tyler Schiller has drawn 17 free passes this season, currently ranking fifth across the NSIC. Schiller's strong approach has seen him work walks in 24.3% of his trips to the plate while striking out just 14.3% of the time. Incredibly, the lefthanded bat has taken ball four 11 times in 27 plate appearances with runners in scoring postion - good for a 40.7% walk rate. A native of Hutchinson, Schiller's steady on-base presence has him ninth in the NSIC with a .486 OBP.
BOOM, CLAPP
Junior designated hitter Ben Clapp holds a four-game hitting streak entering the weekend series, going 5-for-12 (.417) with a home run, three RBI and a 1.229 OPS across his current stretch. An All-American at Century College last season, Clapp just drove in his 100th collegiate run during the Huskies' midweek at Upper Iowa and holds a career slash line of .367/.444/.671 for a 1.115 OPS with 33 doubles and 17 home runs over 101 games played.
CLOSING TIME
Junior righthander Grady Fuchs has earned a save in each of his last four appearances while retiring 15 of 17 batters faced in that span. Fuchs has made a staff-leading nine appearances this season and has thrown 14.1 innings to the tune of a 4.40 ERA, striking out 15 while maintaining a 1.19 WHIP. The righthander has been especially tough on lefthanded hitters, limiting them to just one hit in 17 at-bats for a .059 batting average and a .297 OPS.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Redshirt senior catcher Drew Bulson has taken a major step forward with his work behind the plate this season, currently leading the NSIC with six runners thrown out on a 35.3% caught-stealing rate while guiding the SCSU pitching staff to a 3.58 ERA when he is catching. Both numbers currently stand as career-bests as the St. Cloud native has bumped his CSR by nearly 20% and lowered his catcher ERA by almost a full run. Bulson's defensive chops are supported by a productive season at the plate, as he currently slashes .369/.449/.585 for a 1.033 OPS with five doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Baseball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
All three games of the series will be featured on the NSIC Network with live stats provided by Winona State. Fans can find links to each streaming option on the SCSU Baseball schedule page.
LAST TIME OUT
The Huskies struggled to manufacture runs in their midweek finale at Upper Iowa on Tuesday as Peacock starter Kyle Hrncir allowed just two runs on three hits while pitching into the sixth. Huskies spot starter David Van Ort threw well in his first bump of the season, allowing just two hits and punching out one across 2.1 scoreless. The Peacocks got to the SCSU bullpen in the fourth and fifth, building a 3-0 lead entering the sixth. The Huskies loaded the bases in the top of the sixth for Tyler Schiller (0-for-1, 2 BB, HBP, RBI), who promptly brought home the visitor's first run by wearing a fastball in the back. Tate Wallat (1-for-2, BB, RBI, SH) drew a walk one batter later to cut the deficit to 3-2. Upper Iowa responded with two in the home half. Sam Riola (0-for-5, R) reached on a fielder's choice in the seventh, stole second and scored on a Ben Clapp (2-for-5, RBI) single, making it a 5-3 ball game. The Peacocks added another after the stretch, then watched their top two relievers close out the split-salvaging win. Drew Bulson (2-for-3) provided a multi-hit effort while Kole Krier struck out four over 2.1 innings of one-run relief.
STANDINGS & SUCH
A critical stretch awaits SCSU as each of their next four series feature conference rivals currently in the top eight of the NSIC standings. The Huskies are a game and a half out of first, sitting in third place with a 5-2 conference record. Winona State is tied for seventh with Minot State, 1.5 games ahead of Mary.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
Winona State enters the weekend tilt with a 10-15 record and a 6-3 mark in NSIC play. Second baseman Kyle Yu has starred at the top of the order, slashing .355/.438/.461 for an .899 OPS with 10 stolen bases and an impressive 12.2% walk rate. WSU's lineup doesn't feature much power, currently tied for last in the league with just seven home runs while landing 12th in slugging percentage. First baseman Cooper Kapanke (.287/.417/.460, .876 OPS, 6 2B) is the lone Warrior with multiple long balls - leading the club with three - and paces the team with 18 RBI. Veteran catcher Derek Baumgartner is off to a strong start, hitting .338 with a team-best eight doubles and throwing out a league-leading six runners behind the plate. Fellow backstop Dane Weiland is fifth in the NSIC with five runners thrown out, providing WSU with strong control of the opposing run game. Justin Firpo (2-1, 4.10 ERA, 26.1 IP, 1.63 WHIP, 20:14 K:BB), Bailey Banaszynski (1-2, 4.91 ERA, 18.1 IP, 1.75 WHIP, 19:15 K:BB) and Pierce Gritzmaker (0-3, 6.52 ERA, 19.1 IP, 1.81 WHIP, 8:9 K:BB) make up the weekend rotation while relievers Nevin Wall (2 SV, 5 APP, 2.84 ERA, 12.2 IP, 5:3 K:BB), John Breske (10 APP, 4.76 ERA, 5.2 IP, 4:3 K:BB) and Davis Zeutzius (8 APP, 3.27 ERA, 11.0 IP, 14:5 K:BB) have provided some stability out of the bullpen.
NOT-SO-FAMILIAR PLACE
This weekend's series in Winona will mark the first series between the Huskies and Warriors actually played at Loughrey Field since March 24-25, 2012. Since that weekend tilt held in Winona, SCSU and the Warrirors have played in Omaha, Mauston, Sioux Falls and River Falls in addition to six tilts in St. Cloud.
IN THE HUNT
Following a brief hiatus, St. Cloud State is back in the NCBWA Central Region Poll - appearing in the No. 10 spot after winning eight of their last nine. The Huskies are the second-highest NSIC team in the regional rankings behind No. 5 Minnesota State-Mankato and one of four conference teams to receive recognition as both Minot State and Minnesota Crookston appeared on at least one ballot.
WIZARD OF WHIFF
Redshirt sophomore southpaw Luke Tupy is fresh off striking out 10 batters in his last start against Augustana on March 25, recording 22 swinging strikes on 99 pitches. Tupy's ability to miss bats with his fastball has allowed the lefthander to pile up 114 strikeouts over 72.1 career collegiate innings, producing a 14.18 K/9 mark alongside a downright ridiculous 38.9% strikeout rate. Over his three seasons with SCSU, the New Prague product is 9-2 with a 1.74 ERA and a 1.76 FIP across 15 starts, holding batters to a .169 average and a .524 OPS.
THE TABLE IS SET
Junior centerfielder John Nett is enjoying a phenomenal campaign leading off a potent Huskies lineup that leads the NSIC in runs per game and on-base percentage while ranking top-four in nearly every major category. Nett is slashing .440/.525/.702 for a 1.227 OPS with 27 runs scored, 11 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 21 RBI. Entering the weekend, Nett ranks second across the NSIC in hits and doubles; fourth in batting average and on-base percentage; fifth in runs scored and seventh in OPS while landing eighth in both slugging percentage and stolen bases.
WALK THIS WAY
Junior left fielder Tyler Schiller has drawn 17 free passes this season, currently ranking fifth across the NSIC. Schiller's strong approach has seen him work walks in 24.3% of his trips to the plate while striking out just 14.3% of the time. Incredibly, the lefthanded bat has taken ball four 11 times in 27 plate appearances with runners in scoring postion - good for a 40.7% walk rate. A native of Hutchinson, Schiller's steady on-base presence has him ninth in the NSIC with a .486 OBP.
BOOM, CLAPP
Junior designated hitter Ben Clapp holds a four-game hitting streak entering the weekend series, going 5-for-12 (.417) with a home run, three RBI and a 1.229 OPS across his current stretch. An All-American at Century College last season, Clapp just drove in his 100th collegiate run during the Huskies' midweek at Upper Iowa and holds a career slash line of .367/.444/.671 for a 1.115 OPS with 33 doubles and 17 home runs over 101 games played.
CLOSING TIME
Junior righthander Grady Fuchs has earned a save in each of his last four appearances while retiring 15 of 17 batters faced in that span. Fuchs has made a staff-leading nine appearances this season and has thrown 14.1 innings to the tune of a 4.40 ERA, striking out 15 while maintaining a 1.19 WHIP. The righthander has been especially tough on lefthanded hitters, limiting them to just one hit in 17 at-bats for a .059 batting average and a .297 OPS.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Redshirt senior catcher Drew Bulson has taken a major step forward with his work behind the plate this season, currently leading the NSIC with six runners thrown out on a 35.3% caught-stealing rate while guiding the SCSU pitching staff to a 3.58 ERA when he is catching. Both numbers currently stand as career-bests as the St. Cloud native has bumped his CSR by nearly 20% and lowered his catcher ERA by almost a full run. Bulson's defensive chops are supported by a productive season at the plate, as he currently slashes .369/.449/.585 for a 1.033 OPS with five doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Baseball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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