SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (13-17, 10-4 2nd, NSIC), which has utilized an eight-game winning streak to move into second place in the NSIC, will continue a 12-game road trip at Upper Iowa (13-13, 5-7 NSIC) on Wednesday, April 8.

USF and UIU will play a doubleheader, beginning at noon. Due to the possibility of weather issues, the games were moved up from 1:30 p.m. Then, the Cougars head to Southwest Minnesota State (12-14, 5-5 NSIC) for a doubleheader on April 15 followed by a four-game series at Winona State (11-15, 9-5 NSIC) on April 18-19.

The Cougars have won eight consecutive games, which is not only the longest current streak in the NSIC but the best since USF moved to NCAA DII. It is also the longest streak for the Cougars since winning 11 straight on April 5-17, 2010. 

In Upper Iowa, the Cougars will face a talented hitting team, which ranks fifth in the NSIC with a .316 batting average. They are also third in runs scored at 192, fourth in RBI with 172 and fifth in hits with 270. Jacob Stenberg is hitting .386 and Jacob Greco is one of the league's top hitters at .374 with 30 runs, 40 hits, five HRs and 28 RBI. The Peacocks opened the season 2-5 before winning a season-best five straight. UIU owns a two-game winning streak after 15-7, 9-2 wins over Minot State, which had won the opening two games, 11-6 and 24-17. UIU, which ranks ninth with a 7.30 ERA, has a 5-7 mark in league play.

Cougars have outscored foes, 77-to-44, in 8-game winning streak

During the eight-game winning streak, USF has hit .349 as a team and outscored opponents, 77-to-44. USF has hammered eight HRs and pounded out 14 doubles in the run. In addition, the Cougars have compiled a .517 slugging percentage and a .443 on-base percentage. Perhaps most noteworthy for the Cougars has been the work on the mound. USF's young staff, jwith ust two seniors (Henry Ojeda and Eric Brothers) and two freshman starters, had wins from seven different pitchers with junior Patrick Anderson of Virginia, Minn., putting together a 2-0 record. Overall, USF had a 4.94 ERA in the eight-game run, compared to 7.41 for the season. In that stretch, the Cougars compiled 46 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 62 innings. They allowed just 34 earned runs.

Individually, Matthew Minnick hit .545 with three HR and 16 RBI, collecting 18 hits in 33 at bats with 12 runs. He had a .970 slugging percentage and .571 OBP over those eight games. In addition, Jordan Jeske hit .431 with eight hits in 19 at bats with a .577 OBP. Sophomore shortstop Gunner Peterson has returned to the starting lineup with a bang. A native of Brookings, S.D., Peterson has hit .391 to push his season average to .275. Sophomore Austin Richey bated .391 in the eight-game stretch while Noah Durkin hit .387 with 12 hits and 12 runs. He had a team-best five doubles during the Cougar surge. On the mound, Alex Wall had a 2.25 ERA in going 1-0 in two appearances for USF. He also appeared in relief, tossing one inning of shutout baseball. Wall recorded eight strikeouts and just one walk. Freshman Kacey Myrlie was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in one appearance. He threw seven innings, allowing seven hits and one run with six strikeouts and no walks.

Minnick leads NSIC in six categories

Freshman leftfielder Matthew Minnick, a Rapid City, S.D., native, ranks among the top three in 11 NSIC hitting categories. He ranks first in six categories, including slugging percentage (.810), hits (45), RBI (35), doubles (14), total bases (81), and runs scored per game at 1.25 per game. Also in league stats, Minnick is second in runs scored with 35, doubles per game at 0.50, and RBI per game at 1.25. He is also third in average at .450 and fourth in hits per game at 1.61. Minnick has been clutch with runners in scoring position, hitting 14-of-34 for .412. He has also excelled in two-hitting with a .436 average on 17-of-39 hitting with 10 2-out RBI.

Richey, Stanich, Durkin and Jarvis continuing to hit

Sophomore designated hitter Austin Richey, a Winner, S.D., native, is hitting .373 with a .569 slugging percentage and .468 OBP. Richey has a .524 (11-of-21) batting average with runners in scoring position. Against righthanded pitchers and two-out hitting, Richey is hitting .455 (5-of-11). He is also 2-of-4 in a pinch hitting role.

Freshman Tony Stanich of San Diego, Calif., is batting .289 and has 25 RBI and 33 hits. Stanich has been effective with runners in scoring position, hitting .415 (17-of-41).

Junior centerfielder Noah Durkin of Loveland, Colo., who is batting .265, ranks sixth in the NSIC with 31 runs scored and tied for fourth in doubles with teammate Brent Jarvis (.274) with 11 doubles. Durkin, who has eight two-out RBI, is hitting .300 (9-of-30) with two out. Jarvis(pictured to the left), a freshman second baseman from San Diego, Calif., ranks seventh in steals with six and with Durkin sits fifth in at bats with 113. Jarvis, who has a .297 (11-of-37) average with runners in scoring position, has eight 2-out RBI and is batting .290 (9-of-31) with two out. In total, the Cougars have eight players with at least 10 RBI on the year.

Overall, USF ranks in the NSIC second in runs scored (200), hits (278), RBI (182), and doubles (66). The Cougars are third in triples (10), total bases (403), and total plate appearances (1,104). USF is hitting .290 which is 11th with its slugging percentage of .420 sitting 11th and on-base percentage of .375, 10th.

USF his hitting .297 (52-of-175) against left-handed pitchers and batting .288 (226-of-784) against right handers. With runners on third and less than two out, USF has produced with a .768 mark, converting 63 RBI in 82 opportunities. As a team, USF has 55 2-out RBI and hitting .289 (89-of-308) as a team with two outs. With the bases loaded, USF is 11-of-29 for .379.

Odds and Ends

In one-run games, USF is 3-3 and have a 4-0 mark in two-run contests. USF owns a 6-1 mark vs. left handed pitchers and are 7-16 vs. right-handed pitchers. They sit 6-5 when they score 6-to-9 runs and 7-4 when they hold opponents to 3-to-5 runs. When the opponents score first, the Cougars are just 6-12 but they have a 5-2 record when USF strikes first. The Cougars are 9-0 when they outhit opponents and 9-2 when leading after six innings. At home, USF is 6-4 with a 6-11 away mark and 1-2 on a neutral field. Also, USF is 13-16 in day games and 2-1 in extra innings.

USF's Probable Starting Lineup

1B – #25 Tony Stanich, R/R, 6-5, 175, Fr., San Diego, Calif. (Mission Hills HS), 28 starts, .289 BA, 33 hits, 19 runs, 25 RBI, .302 OBP, .412 slugging pct., .981 fielding pct.

2B – #4 Brent Jarvis, R/R, 5-9, 175, Fr., San Diego, Calif. (Mission Hills HS), 29 starts, .274 BA, 31 hits, 27 runs, 11 doubles, triple, 20 RBI, .369 OBP, .416 slugging pct., .952 fielding pct.

SS -- #6 Gunner Peterson R/R, 6-1, 175, RSo., Brookings, S.D. (Brookings HS), 13 starts, .275, 11 hits, 8 RBI, two doubles, .326 on-base percentage, .325 slugging pct., .938

3B -- #9 Tanner Olthoff, L/R, 6-0, 170, Fr., Oceanside, Calif. (El Camino HS), 28 starts, .260 BA, 26 hits, three doubles, 13 runs, 16 RBI, .345 OBP, .290, slugging pct., 901 fielding pct.

CF – #15 Noah Durkin, L/R, 5-11, 180, Jr., Littleton, Colo. (Columbine HS), .265 BA, 31 runs, 27 hits, 12 RBI, .366 OBP, .408 slugging pct., 12 walks

RF – #35 Jordan Jeske, L/L, 6-0, 183, Sr., Cottage Grove, Minn. (U. of Dubuque), 16 starts, .318, 14 hits, 12 runs, 11 walks, .341 slugging percentage, .464 OBP

LF -- #16 Matt Minnick, R/R, 6-1, 185, Fr., Rapid City, S.D., 27 starts, .450, 35 runs, 45 hits, 14 doubles, six HR, 35 RBI, 81 TB, .509 OBP, .810 slugging pct., 5-6 SB, .933 fielding pct.

C – #12 Connor Merriam, R/R, 5-9, 160, Fr., Rapid City, S.D., 20 starts, .281, 16 hits, 6 runs, HR, 10 RBI, .386 slugging percentage, .414 OBP

or

C – #19 Michael Downs, R/R, 5-11, 150, So., Pueblo, Colo. (Pueblo County HS), 10 starts, .294 BA, 10 hits, .382 slugging pct., .351 OBP

DH – #19 Austin Richey, R/R, 5-9, 200, RSo., 15 starts, .373, 19 hits, eight runs, 4 doubles, 2 HR, 17 RBI, .468 OBP, .569 slugging percentage

Pitchers

Henry Ojeda, RHP, 6-0, 175, Sr., San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern CC), 9 appearances, 8 starts, 2-2 (9-7 career), 7.12 ERA, 36 2/3 innings, 63 hits, 41 runs, 29 earned runs, 27 earned runs, 30 strikeouts

#17 Alex Wall, RHP, 6-0, 165, Fr., Oceanside, Calif. (El Camino HS), 3-4, 4.87 ERA, 10 appearances, 6 starts, 2 CG, save, 40 2/3 innings, 61 hits, 29 earned runs, 22 earned, 24 strikeouts

#31 Kacey Myrlie, RHP, 6-6, 175, Fr., Lester, Iowa, 2-1, 8 appearances, 4 starts, CG, 39 2/3 innings, 49 hits, 26 runs, 25 earned runs, 9 walks, 24 strikeouts

#34 Eric Brothers, RHP, 6-3, 205, Sr., Valley Center, Calif. (Valley Center HS), 1-5, 9.90 ERA, five starts, 8 appearances, 30 innings, 43 hits, 39 runs, 33 earned, 21 walks, 15 strikeouts

#13 Kenton Johnson, LHP, 6-1, 185, RJr., McKinleyville, Calif. (College of the Redwoods/McKinleyville HS), 1-1, 6.23 ERA, 8 appearances, 3 starts, 17 1/3 innings, 21 hits, 20 runs, 12 earned, 10 strikeouts

#27 Patrick Anderson, RHP, 6-4, 180, Jr., Virginia, Minn. (Riverland CC), 2-0, 3.38 ERA, 6 appearances, 3 starts, 21 1/3 innings, 22 hits, 9 runs, 8 earned, 13 strikeouts

#36 Tucker Bishop, RHP, 5-6, 175, Jr., Benicia, Calif., 0-1, 10.03 ERA, 8 appearances, 11 2/3 innings, 22 hits, 17 earned runs, 13 earned, 8 strikeouts, 3 walks

#51 Connor Gibson, LHP, 6-2, 220, So., Toronto, Canada (St. Michael's College), 10.12 ERA, 1-0, 12 appearances, 10 2/3 innings, 11 hits, 20 runs 12 earned runs, 19 walks, 8 strikeouts

#21 Dylan Garvin, 1-1, 11.25 ERA, 8 appearances, 12 innings, 22 hits, 18 runs, 15 earned runs, 7 walks, 2 strikeouts

NSIC Tourney note

The 2015 NSIC Baseball Tournament will include the top eight teams in the final NSIC Standings. The double elimination tournament will be held May 6-9 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Cougars picked 11th in the league

In the NSIC Preseason Poll released earlier, the Cougars were picked 11th. All-NSIC pitcher Henry Ojeda and centerfielder Noah Durkin were named “Players to Watch.” In the poll, USF received 72 points, finishing just four behind Minnesota-Duluth (76) for 10th. Minnesota State, Mankato, which won the league a year ago with a 28-4 mark (48-11 overall), was selected as the top team in the NSIC for the sixth straight season. In the poll, the Mavericks received 194 points, including 12 first-place votes, with St. Cloud State in second with 172 points and a first place vote.

About USF Baseball Coach Matt Guiliano

In his eighth season, Guiliano has a 154-187 record for a .452 winning percentage. A native of San Diego, Calif., he was named to lead the Cougars in May, 2007 and recently picked up his 150th career win (21-17 over Minnesota-Crookston). This season, Guiliano's team is 13-17 and 10-4 (second place) in the NSIC. In 2014, Guiliano directed the Cougars to an 18-31 record overall, including 12-24 for 12th in the NSIC. USF opened up the 2014 season with a 13-9 record, including 7-2 in the NSIC.

For the first time since the transition to DII, the Cougars had an All-NSIC player with Henry Ojeda (7-5, 2.64 ERA, 46 K) earning second-team honors. Outfielder Noah Durkin was 19th in hitting at .361. USF impressed many during the 2013 season, its first competing in the highly competitive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Picked to finish 12th in the league's preseason coaches poll, the Cougars went 22-22 with a 14-14 league mark to finish ninth in the standings. The Cougars were a run away from qualifying for the NSIC postseason tournament on their first try; falling just short when Winona State held on for a 9-8 win in the regular season finale for both programs. The Cougars also received attention from the league office; with junior pitchers Noah Coleman and Derek Fischer each being tabbed the NSIC Pitcher of the Week. Coleman earned his POW certificate for leading the Cougars to splits with both Augustana College and Wayne State College. In 2012, Guiliano steered the Cougars through the challenging transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II athletics.

USF opened its provisional DII campaign with a 20-game road trip that carried them from Missouri to California and the Cougars would only play 13 games at Harmodon Field, their home turf. The challenges were not limited to just a brutal travel schedule, as the Cougars ended the season with eight straight rainouts that deprived two outstanding seniors of their final jumps across the foul line. The Cougars enjoyed a pair of impressive wins in 2012; knocking off No. 15 Minnesota State in the final game of a four-game home-stand and later notching a thrilling 6-5 win over crosstown rival Augustana College. In 2011, Guiliano coached first-team All-GPAC and GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Gold Glove winner Cody Burgener. In addition, pitcher Brady Nolz and first baseman Jimmy Maxwell were tabbed as second-team performers while catcher/infielder Corey Vazquez and pitchers Brandon Compton and Noah Coleman were named All-GPAC honorable mention. In just his third season at his alma mater, Guiliano guided the Cougars to a 33-17 record in 2010, the most wins in school history. The Cougars' finished second in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) regular season standings with a 19-5 mark, also a new school record. USF won nine of its first 10 games, scored at least 10 runs in 11 games and racked up a 13-game winning streak during the season. Guiliano's 2010 squad also set a new school record with 132 stolen bases. Although the Cougars made an early exit from the 2010 GPAC postseason tournament, USF was awarded with 10 players on the All-GPAC Team.

Under Guiliano's direction in 2009, the Cougars finished the season 13-11 in conference play and 18-23 overall. The Cougars advanced to the GPAC tournament as the no. 8 seed, where they knocked off top seed Nebraska Wesleyan University in the first round before being eliminated on day two of the tournament. Jordan Ahrendt, Andrew Jenkins and Todd Neu each received honorable mention all-conference recognition that season. The Cougars capped the 2009 season with a 4-2 exhibition win against the Sioux Falls Canaries, the local minor league squad. Guiliano took the helm of the Cougar baseball program in 2008 and completed his inaugural USF campaign with a 16-28 record and a 12-12 conference mark. Three Guiliano's players were named all-conference.

Guiliano is a graduate of USF, and his name still dots the school's record book. Guiliano remains in the top-5 of several statistical categories, including: single season hits (first, 92), runs scored (first, 67), triples (first, nine) and batting average (second, .511). He is third on the Cougars' all-time career batting average (.452) and ranked first in career triples (10). In 2006, Guiliano was recognized both as the first team All-GPAC shortstop and the GPAC Player of the Year. He also took home NAIA Region III Player of the Year and NAIA All-American (second team) accolades. Following his collegiate career, Guiliano joined the San Angelo Colts of the North American League, but a knee injury prematurely ended his professional playing days. Guiliano returned to Sioux Falls in 2007 and became the student assistant for the USF baseball coaching staff. He also completed a bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in business. Guiliano and his wife, Melissa (a USF softball alumnus) reside in Sioux Falls. They have two sons, Brady and Cody.