The Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs ended their baseball season with two narrow 6-2 losses to the Augustana Vikings. In the first game, a late four-run sixth inning by the Vikings sealed the victory as they completed the sweep. The Mustangs finished their season with a record of 20-28, while the Vikings improved to 35-12 and maintained a strong position in the league standings. Notably, Ryan Bell had an impressive performance in the second game, but it was overshadowed by a five-run rally from Augustana in the eighth. This marked the final games for 13 senior players on the Mustangs team.

By the Numbers
  • SMSU finished the season with a record of 20-28, 10-26 in NSIC.
  • Augustana improved to 35-12 overall and 28-6 in NSIC.
State of Play
  • Ryan Bell allowed only one run through seven innings in the second game before the Vikings rallied.
  • In both games, the Mustangs managed only four hits in the opener and two runs in the second game.
What's Next

With the season concluded, the Mustangs will focus on rebuilding for next year, especially as they farewell 13 seniors. Recruitment and player development will be crucial for improving their performance in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

Despite the tough losses, there were flashes of potential from younger players, which bodes well for the future. The team must leverage this experience to rebuild and aim for a stronger performance next season.