Thursday, May 18
Warrensburg, Mo.
6:00 P.M. CT
St. Cloud State
at
Central Missouri
St. Cloud State readies for Warrensburg Regional
5/16/2023 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
Huskies open 2023 NCAA Tournament with top seed Central Missouri on Thursday, May 18
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Baseball (32-18, 20-10 NSIC) begins their 12th NCAA Tournament appearance with a first round tilt against host and Central Region top seed No. 4 Central Missouri (41-13, 27-6 MIAA) at the Warrensburg Regional on Thursday, May 18. First pitch at Crane Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT as the NSIC Tournament Champion Huskies take on the MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Champion Mules.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The 2023 Warrensburg Regional will be streamed on the MIAA Network ($) with live stats provided by Central Missouri. Links to each coverage option can be found on the SCSU Baseball schedule page.
NSIC CHAMPS!
Faced with a winner-take-all second game on Championship Sunday, the Huskies turned to graduate righthander Riley Ahern on three days' rest after throwing five strong in the Tournament opener on Wednesday. Ahern was handed the lead before taking the hill as John Nett (3-for-6, 3 R, 2 RBI) led off the game with single and later scored on an Ethan Navratil (1-for-6, R, 2B, 2 RBI) fielder's choice. The Huskies' bulldog righthander retired all seven men he faced – allowing a lone runner on a wild pitch third strike – while punching out five across 2.0 innings of work. After a medical check on Ahern late in the second, St. Cloud State's lineup picked up their righthander and made the decision to pull him easy with a seven spot in the third. Sawyer Smith (4-for-5, BB, R, RBI) opened the wild third inning with the first of his four hits followed by a Ben Clapp (2-for-4, BB, R) single, an RBI double off the bat of Navratil and an RBI single from Brayden Jacobson (1-for-4, HBP, R, RBI). Minnesota State put away the next two batters before Mitchell Gumbko (0-for-3, BB, HBP, 2 R, SB) drew a walk to fill the bases with two down. Nett grounded a ball to short that appeared to have the inning wrapped up, but the Maverick shortstop chose to race Gumbko to the second base bag. Gumbko turned on the jets and slid in safely, allowing a run to score and extending the frame. Sam Riola (2-for-6, 2 R, HR, 5 RBI) made it hurt with a two-run single laced into center, then Smith punctuated the inning with an RBI single up the middle that was mishandled, allowing a second run to score and extending the SCSU lead to 8-0. Payton VanBeck took over in the home half of the third and provided the Huskies with exceptional relief, earning the win with 4.1 innings of three-run ball. The southpaw struck out one while scattering five hits and a walk, relying on his defense to work behind him and cruising through key innings. A one-out Drew Beier (2-for-5, R, 2 2B) double in the fourth was followed by a Kevin Butler (3-for-4, R, RBI, SAC) RBI single to add an insurance run for VanBeck. Minnesota State finally scratched one across in the sixth – a run that the Huskies would respond to with three in the next half. Butler singled to right then Gumbko reached on an error by the third baseman, bringing Nett back to the plate with one on and none retired. The SCSU centerfielder singled in a run as Minnesota State recorded an out on the bases, then Riola clobbered a two-run home run out to left – his 36th career blast in a Huskies uniform, breaking the program's all-time record. Riola plated the final Huskies run in the ninth with a fielder's choice as Grady Fuchs, Cooper Avery and David Van Ort finished things off behind VanBeck.
THE TOURNAMENT FIELD
The Huskies are seeded eighth overall in the Central Region and join top-seeded Central Missouri, fourth-seeded Ouachita Baptist and five seed Augustana at the Warrensburg Regional. Missouri Southern State plays host to the Joplin Regional as the No. 2 seed, welcoming third-seeded Southern Arkansas, six seed Minnesota State-Mankato and seven seed Arkansas Tech to Warren Turner Field.
REGIONAL HISTORY
St. Cloud State Baseball has produced an impressive stretch of NCAA Tournament appearances under the direction of head coach Pat Dolan, appearing in their 10th national tournament since 2010. Incredibly, the Huskies have appeared in 10 of the last 13 NCAA Tournaments - for perspective, the program had made just two NCAA Tournaments since the tourney's inception in 1968 until their first trip under Dolan in 2010. SCSU first appeared in the national tournament back in 1971 behind a terrific rotation anchored by future Minnesota Twins reliever Greg Thayer, Dan Jensen, Jim Tomczik and Steve Fuchs. The Huskies returned to the tournament in 1991 as an incredible lineup featuring Mike Marquardt, Chad Pribyl, Brad Jodarski and Jeremy Mendel was backed by a one-two punch on the hill with Dave Oehrlein and Jim Hanson. 19 seasons later, St. Cloud State began their run as a near-lock to make the NCAA Tournament as the legendary 2010 club broke through and finished runner-up at the Farmington Regional after entering as the No. 8 seed and eliminating host New Mexico-Highlands. Over the course of eight more NCAA appearances, the Huskies have hosted three Central Region Tournaments with four runner-up finishes. SCSU has won at least one game at every NCAA Tournament they have appeared in and are 19-18 in the "Big Dance" under Dolan.
SCOUTING THE MULES
No. 4 Central Missouri enters the NCAA Tournament with a 41-13 record and is fresh off running the table at the MIAA Tournament - sweeping Rogers State in the Opening Round before steamrolling Pittsburg State, Northeastern State and Missouri Southern State with a pair of run-rule wins. The Mules outscored their MIAA tournament opponents 49-7 including a 15-0 drubbing of Missouri Southern in the Championship game. Right fielder Carter Young, first baseman John Prudhom and designated hitter Vance Tobol each have blasted double-digit home runs with at least 56 RBI a piece to anchor a dangerous top of the order while two-hole hitter and third baseman Jack Schark leads the club with a .381 average and 29 stolen bases. Seven Mules have stolen double-digit bags this season and none have been thrown out more than four times as the club averages just under three bags a game at a 84.9% success rate. On the mound, Conner Wolf serves as the Friday starter with a 10-3 record and a 3.76 ERA and is followed by Cole Schroeder (1-1, 2.48 ERA) and Cole LaLonde (2-1, 2.86 ERA). Central Missouri has long been known for a dominant bullpen - a reputation that continues as Tyler Kotsis (2.33 ERA), Harrison Babbitt (2.35 ERA), Ethan Peterson (2.78 ERA) and Jack Payne (3.00 ERA) each have made at least 16 appearances as part of getting the ball to All-MIAA closer JD McReynolds. The Mules' stopper has allowed just three runs - two earned - on 11 hits (.115 BAA) and nine walks over 29.2 innings for a ridiculous 0.61 ERA while going 5-0 with five saves and 46 strikeouts. St. Cloud State is 2-1 all-time against Central Missouri at the NCAA Tournament.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
(RV) Ouachita Baptist enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Central Region after going 37-17 this spring and finishing 2-2 at the GAC Tournament with an Opening Round sweep of Harding before falling to Oklahoma Baptist and Henderson State at the Final Four. The rotation is a strength for Ouachita, fronted by righthanders Cooper Timmons and Luke House alongside southpaw Teddy Webb. Timmons is 7-5 with a 4.18 ERA this season and has struck out 117 against just 39 walks across 90.1 innings while Webb is 8-3 with a 3.63 ERA and 63 punchouts over 84.1 frames. House adds a 3.17 ERA over 59.2 with a 6-3 record on the hill. Two-way shortstop Dustin Bermudez closes for the Tigers, owning 10 saves, a 41:7 K:BB ratio and a 3.98 ERA across 31.2 innings. The Huskies are familiar with both Bermudez and House, having tagged the pair for a combined six runs on six hits and four walks over 6.1 innings last season in an 8-5 win during an early-spring trip to Arkadelphia. Bermudez, left fielder G. Allen, catcher Michael Quinones and first baseman Jaxon Chaney have each left the yard 10-plus times this season with Allen owning a .385/.488/.665 slash line for a 1.153 OPS with 12 doubles, 12 homers and 44 RBI to lead the lineup. Ouachita does not run often, as Allen (12-for-12) is the only runner to attempt more than six stolen bases. St. Cloud State has never faced Ouachita Baptist in the NCAA Tournament.
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
(RV) Augustana enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed in the Central Region following a 42-18 record this spring and a 3-2 showing in the NSIC Tournament, defeating Wayne State before falling to St. Cloud State, eliminating Winona State and Minnesota Crookston then dropping their final tilt to Minnesota State-Mankato. Veteran righthanders Seth Miller (9-1, 3.01 ERA, 77.2 IP, 82:20 K:BB), Caleb Saari (5-3, 2.89 ERA, 62.1 IP, 74:15 K:BB) and Caleb Kranz (7-1, 4.31 ERA, 62.2 IP, 86:23 K:BB) provide Augustana with a strong weekend rotation. Closer Adam Diedrich has recorded 12 saves with a 2.17 ERA over 29.0 innings, striking out 33 to lead a solid bullpen. The Vikings' lineup features their usual burners as both tablesetting outfielder Trevor Winterstein and right fielder Nick Banowetz have nabbed over 30 bases alongside 19 swipes from shortstop Jack Hines. Augie's shortstop adds a team-leading .361 average as he protects thumper Drey Dirksen - the catcher has slashed .357/.444/.673 for a 1.117 OPS with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and a Viking best 53 RBI while throwing out nearly 40% of attempted basestealers. St. Cloud State went 3-1 against Augustana this season and is 1-0 versus the Vikings at the NCAA Tournament, dropping them 7-1 in the opener of the 2011 St. Cloud Regional behind a complete-game gem from Scott Lieser and a four-hit game from Travis Enger.
ALL HAIL THE KING
Redshirt senior two-way second baseman Sam Riola had an incredible performance at the NSIC Tournament, earning MVP honors after going 9-for-22 (.409) at the plate with six runs scored, a home run and 10 RBI. His two-run blast against Minnesota State-Mankato in the winner-take-all Championship game was his 36th career shot in a Huskies uniform, breaking St. Cloud State's all-time home run record previously held by legendary SCSU corner infielder Zak "Squatch" Hoffman. Riola also fired 7.0 innings of one-hit scoreless baseball against Augustana in the quarterfinal, taking a no-hitter into the seventh while striking out 11.
NO DOUBT NAV
Sophomore first baseman Ethan Navratil launched three clutch home runs and drove in 10 at the NSIC Tournament, earning All-Tournament Team honors. The slugger led SCSU with a .714 slugging percentage, adding a double for four extra-base hits and 15 total bases.
THE BUTLER IS DOING EVERYTHING
Redshirt sophomore catcher Kevin Butler tore the cover off the ball at the NSIC Tournament, going 10-for-17 (.588) with a double and four RBI while producing a 1.235 OPS and handling the pitching staff to a 3.68 ERA. Butler has been a revelation as the lead catcher following the loss of All-NSIC honoree Drew Bulson to injury, going 21-for-39 over his last 18 games for a .538 average. The catcher has produced .538/.578/.667 slash line for a 1.245 OPS over that span with two doubles, a home run and 10 RBI. Defensively, Butler has logged 165.1 errorless innings behind the plate with a 21.1% caught stealing rate and the lowest passed ball rate on the team at just 0.14% - committing only four on 2927 pitches handled.
GLUE GUY GUMBKO
Junior left fielder Mitchell Gumbko earned All-Tournament Team honors after going 7-for-17 (.412) with a team-high seven runs scored, serving as a sparkplug at the bottom of the order. Gumbko has been the definition of a "glue guy" for the Huskies this season, hitting .356 with a .455 on-base percentage while serving as a clutch pinch hitter and versatile outfielder.
CONSIDER THE TABLE SET BY NETT
Junior centerfielder John Nett is enjoying an incredible campaign at the top of the Huskies order, currently leading the NSIC Batting Title race by a whopping 36 points by slashing .446/.529/.634 for a 1.163 OPS. He ranks sixth in the Nation in batting average, leading the NSIC on-base percentage and hits (90) while ranking second in doubles (20) and fourth in OPS, stolen bases (19) and runs scored (60). Nett's defensive work in center has been simply phenomenal as the junior has logged 386.2 errorless innings with four outfield assists and a stellar 2.42 range factor/9. Of note, Nett is also within striking distance of breaking the Huskies' modern-era single season batting average record of .457 held by Jordan Smith in addition to being just six hits away from tying Smith's single-season record of 96.
LIGHTS OUT LANTHIER
Sophomore righthander Ethan Lanthier is back to his lethal form out of the St. Cloud State bullpen, responding extremely well to a return to his role as the staff's fireman. Lanthier has made nine appearances out of the pen', finishing five games with a 2.41 ERA and a 2.24 FIP across 18.2 innings. The flamethrower has struck out 28 for a 36.4% K rate while walking just four at a 5.2% clip, holding opponents to a .197/.293/.258 slash line for a .551 OPS and maintaining a 0.91 WHIP.
ALL-NSIC HUSKIES
Four St. Cloud State Baseball players have earned Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honors as announced by the league last week. Junior outfielder John Nett and redshirt senior two-way player Sam Riola earned First Team All-NSIC honors, redshirt senior catcher Drew Bulson was named Second Team All-NSIC while both Nett and senior third baseman Tate Wallat won NSIC Gold Gloves as members of the All-Defensive Team.
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
The 2023 Warrensburg Regional will be streamed on the MIAA Network ($) with live stats provided by Central Missouri. Links to each coverage option can be found on the SCSU Baseball schedule page.
NSIC CHAMPS!
Faced with a winner-take-all second game on Championship Sunday, the Huskies turned to graduate righthander Riley Ahern on three days' rest after throwing five strong in the Tournament opener on Wednesday. Ahern was handed the lead before taking the hill as John Nett (3-for-6, 3 R, 2 RBI) led off the game with single and later scored on an Ethan Navratil (1-for-6, R, 2B, 2 RBI) fielder's choice. The Huskies' bulldog righthander retired all seven men he faced – allowing a lone runner on a wild pitch third strike – while punching out five across 2.0 innings of work. After a medical check on Ahern late in the second, St. Cloud State's lineup picked up their righthander and made the decision to pull him easy with a seven spot in the third. Sawyer Smith (4-for-5, BB, R, RBI) opened the wild third inning with the first of his four hits followed by a Ben Clapp (2-for-4, BB, R) single, an RBI double off the bat of Navratil and an RBI single from Brayden Jacobson (1-for-4, HBP, R, RBI). Minnesota State put away the next two batters before Mitchell Gumbko (0-for-3, BB, HBP, 2 R, SB) drew a walk to fill the bases with two down. Nett grounded a ball to short that appeared to have the inning wrapped up, but the Maverick shortstop chose to race Gumbko to the second base bag. Gumbko turned on the jets and slid in safely, allowing a run to score and extending the frame. Sam Riola (2-for-6, 2 R, HR, 5 RBI) made it hurt with a two-run single laced into center, then Smith punctuated the inning with an RBI single up the middle that was mishandled, allowing a second run to score and extending the SCSU lead to 8-0. Payton VanBeck took over in the home half of the third and provided the Huskies with exceptional relief, earning the win with 4.1 innings of three-run ball. The southpaw struck out one while scattering five hits and a walk, relying on his defense to work behind him and cruising through key innings. A one-out Drew Beier (2-for-5, R, 2 2B) double in the fourth was followed by a Kevin Butler (3-for-4, R, RBI, SAC) RBI single to add an insurance run for VanBeck. Minnesota State finally scratched one across in the sixth – a run that the Huskies would respond to with three in the next half. Butler singled to right then Gumbko reached on an error by the third baseman, bringing Nett back to the plate with one on and none retired. The SCSU centerfielder singled in a run as Minnesota State recorded an out on the bases, then Riola clobbered a two-run home run out to left – his 36th career blast in a Huskies uniform, breaking the program's all-time record. Riola plated the final Huskies run in the ninth with a fielder's choice as Grady Fuchs, Cooper Avery and David Van Ort finished things off behind VanBeck.
THE TOURNAMENT FIELD
The Huskies are seeded eighth overall in the Central Region and join top-seeded Central Missouri, fourth-seeded Ouachita Baptist and five seed Augustana at the Warrensburg Regional. Missouri Southern State plays host to the Joplin Regional as the No. 2 seed, welcoming third-seeded Southern Arkansas, six seed Minnesota State-Mankato and seven seed Arkansas Tech to Warren Turner Field.
REGIONAL HISTORY
St. Cloud State Baseball has produced an impressive stretch of NCAA Tournament appearances under the direction of head coach Pat Dolan, appearing in their 10th national tournament since 2010. Incredibly, the Huskies have appeared in 10 of the last 13 NCAA Tournaments - for perspective, the program had made just two NCAA Tournaments since the tourney's inception in 1968 until their first trip under Dolan in 2010. SCSU first appeared in the national tournament back in 1971 behind a terrific rotation anchored by future Minnesota Twins reliever Greg Thayer, Dan Jensen, Jim Tomczik and Steve Fuchs. The Huskies returned to the tournament in 1991 as an incredible lineup featuring Mike Marquardt, Chad Pribyl, Brad Jodarski and Jeremy Mendel was backed by a one-two punch on the hill with Dave Oehrlein and Jim Hanson. 19 seasons later, St. Cloud State began their run as a near-lock to make the NCAA Tournament as the legendary 2010 club broke through and finished runner-up at the Farmington Regional after entering as the No. 8 seed and eliminating host New Mexico-Highlands. Over the course of eight more NCAA appearances, the Huskies have hosted three Central Region Tournaments with four runner-up finishes. SCSU has won at least one game at every NCAA Tournament they have appeared in and are 19-18 in the "Big Dance" under Dolan.
SCOUTING THE MULES
No. 4 Central Missouri enters the NCAA Tournament with a 41-13 record and is fresh off running the table at the MIAA Tournament - sweeping Rogers State in the Opening Round before steamrolling Pittsburg State, Northeastern State and Missouri Southern State with a pair of run-rule wins. The Mules outscored their MIAA tournament opponents 49-7 including a 15-0 drubbing of Missouri Southern in the Championship game. Right fielder Carter Young, first baseman John Prudhom and designated hitter Vance Tobol each have blasted double-digit home runs with at least 56 RBI a piece to anchor a dangerous top of the order while two-hole hitter and third baseman Jack Schark leads the club with a .381 average and 29 stolen bases. Seven Mules have stolen double-digit bags this season and none have been thrown out more than four times as the club averages just under three bags a game at a 84.9% success rate. On the mound, Conner Wolf serves as the Friday starter with a 10-3 record and a 3.76 ERA and is followed by Cole Schroeder (1-1, 2.48 ERA) and Cole LaLonde (2-1, 2.86 ERA). Central Missouri has long been known for a dominant bullpen - a reputation that continues as Tyler Kotsis (2.33 ERA), Harrison Babbitt (2.35 ERA), Ethan Peterson (2.78 ERA) and Jack Payne (3.00 ERA) each have made at least 16 appearances as part of getting the ball to All-MIAA closer JD McReynolds. The Mules' stopper has allowed just three runs - two earned - on 11 hits (.115 BAA) and nine walks over 29.2 innings for a ridiculous 0.61 ERA while going 5-0 with five saves and 46 strikeouts. St. Cloud State is 2-1 all-time against Central Missouri at the NCAA Tournament.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
(RV) Ouachita Baptist enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Central Region after going 37-17 this spring and finishing 2-2 at the GAC Tournament with an Opening Round sweep of Harding before falling to Oklahoma Baptist and Henderson State at the Final Four. The rotation is a strength for Ouachita, fronted by righthanders Cooper Timmons and Luke House alongside southpaw Teddy Webb. Timmons is 7-5 with a 4.18 ERA this season and has struck out 117 against just 39 walks across 90.1 innings while Webb is 8-3 with a 3.63 ERA and 63 punchouts over 84.1 frames. House adds a 3.17 ERA over 59.2 with a 6-3 record on the hill. Two-way shortstop Dustin Bermudez closes for the Tigers, owning 10 saves, a 41:7 K:BB ratio and a 3.98 ERA across 31.2 innings. The Huskies are familiar with both Bermudez and House, having tagged the pair for a combined six runs on six hits and four walks over 6.1 innings last season in an 8-5 win during an early-spring trip to Arkadelphia. Bermudez, left fielder G. Allen, catcher Michael Quinones and first baseman Jaxon Chaney have each left the yard 10-plus times this season with Allen owning a .385/.488/.665 slash line for a 1.153 OPS with 12 doubles, 12 homers and 44 RBI to lead the lineup. Ouachita does not run often, as Allen (12-for-12) is the only runner to attempt more than six stolen bases. St. Cloud State has never faced Ouachita Baptist in the NCAA Tournament.
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
(RV) Augustana enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed in the Central Region following a 42-18 record this spring and a 3-2 showing in the NSIC Tournament, defeating Wayne State before falling to St. Cloud State, eliminating Winona State and Minnesota Crookston then dropping their final tilt to Minnesota State-Mankato. Veteran righthanders Seth Miller (9-1, 3.01 ERA, 77.2 IP, 82:20 K:BB), Caleb Saari (5-3, 2.89 ERA, 62.1 IP, 74:15 K:BB) and Caleb Kranz (7-1, 4.31 ERA, 62.2 IP, 86:23 K:BB) provide Augustana with a strong weekend rotation. Closer Adam Diedrich has recorded 12 saves with a 2.17 ERA over 29.0 innings, striking out 33 to lead a solid bullpen. The Vikings' lineup features their usual burners as both tablesetting outfielder Trevor Winterstein and right fielder Nick Banowetz have nabbed over 30 bases alongside 19 swipes from shortstop Jack Hines. Augie's shortstop adds a team-leading .361 average as he protects thumper Drey Dirksen - the catcher has slashed .357/.444/.673 for a 1.117 OPS with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and a Viking best 53 RBI while throwing out nearly 40% of attempted basestealers. St. Cloud State went 3-1 against Augustana this season and is 1-0 versus the Vikings at the NCAA Tournament, dropping them 7-1 in the opener of the 2011 St. Cloud Regional behind a complete-game gem from Scott Lieser and a four-hit game from Travis Enger.
ALL HAIL THE KING
Redshirt senior two-way second baseman Sam Riola had an incredible performance at the NSIC Tournament, earning MVP honors after going 9-for-22 (.409) at the plate with six runs scored, a home run and 10 RBI. His two-run blast against Minnesota State-Mankato in the winner-take-all Championship game was his 36th career shot in a Huskies uniform, breaking St. Cloud State's all-time home run record previously held by legendary SCSU corner infielder Zak "Squatch" Hoffman. Riola also fired 7.0 innings of one-hit scoreless baseball against Augustana in the quarterfinal, taking a no-hitter into the seventh while striking out 11.
NO DOUBT NAV
Sophomore first baseman Ethan Navratil launched three clutch home runs and drove in 10 at the NSIC Tournament, earning All-Tournament Team honors. The slugger led SCSU with a .714 slugging percentage, adding a double for four extra-base hits and 15 total bases.
THE BUTLER IS DOING EVERYTHING
Redshirt sophomore catcher Kevin Butler tore the cover off the ball at the NSIC Tournament, going 10-for-17 (.588) with a double and four RBI while producing a 1.235 OPS and handling the pitching staff to a 3.68 ERA. Butler has been a revelation as the lead catcher following the loss of All-NSIC honoree Drew Bulson to injury, going 21-for-39 over his last 18 games for a .538 average. The catcher has produced .538/.578/.667 slash line for a 1.245 OPS over that span with two doubles, a home run and 10 RBI. Defensively, Butler has logged 165.1 errorless innings behind the plate with a 21.1% caught stealing rate and the lowest passed ball rate on the team at just 0.14% - committing only four on 2927 pitches handled.
GLUE GUY GUMBKO
Junior left fielder Mitchell Gumbko earned All-Tournament Team honors after going 7-for-17 (.412) with a team-high seven runs scored, serving as a sparkplug at the bottom of the order. Gumbko has been the definition of a "glue guy" for the Huskies this season, hitting .356 with a .455 on-base percentage while serving as a clutch pinch hitter and versatile outfielder.
CONSIDER THE TABLE SET BY NETT
Junior centerfielder John Nett is enjoying an incredible campaign at the top of the Huskies order, currently leading the NSIC Batting Title race by a whopping 36 points by slashing .446/.529/.634 for a 1.163 OPS. He ranks sixth in the Nation in batting average, leading the NSIC on-base percentage and hits (90) while ranking second in doubles (20) and fourth in OPS, stolen bases (19) and runs scored (60). Nett's defensive work in center has been simply phenomenal as the junior has logged 386.2 errorless innings with four outfield assists and a stellar 2.42 range factor/9. Of note, Nett is also within striking distance of breaking the Huskies' modern-era single season batting average record of .457 held by Jordan Smith in addition to being just six hits away from tying Smith's single-season record of 96.
LIGHTS OUT LANTHIER
Sophomore righthander Ethan Lanthier is back to his lethal form out of the St. Cloud State bullpen, responding extremely well to a return to his role as the staff's fireman. Lanthier has made nine appearances out of the pen', finishing five games with a 2.41 ERA and a 2.24 FIP across 18.2 innings. The flamethrower has struck out 28 for a 36.4% K rate while walking just four at a 5.2% clip, holding opponents to a .197/.293/.258 slash line for a .551 OPS and maintaining a 0.91 WHIP.
ALL-NSIC HUSKIES
Four St. Cloud State Baseball players have earned Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honors as announced by the league last week. Junior outfielder John Nett and redshirt senior two-way player Sam Riola earned First Team All-NSIC honors, redshirt senior catcher Drew Bulson was named Second Team All-NSIC while both Nett and senior third baseman Tate Wallat won NSIC Gold Gloves as members of the All-Defensive Team.
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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