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BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota State is headed to the NCAA tournament for the second time in program history, preparing to face Nebraska in Lincoln on Friday.
While the Jackrabbits’ season was far from perfect, the slate gets wiped clean as they look to make noise in postseason play. SDSU is one of three teams in the NCAA tournament field with a losing record, sitting at 24-31 overall. Spurts of good baseball were there throughout the year, culminating in an upset over Oral Roberts for the conference title.
“We came in, obviously as the four seed and we didn’t have the best record early on against any of these teams in the conference but we have a small group of seniors that took charge a little bit,” Nic Werk said.
Those seniors helped leverage what the Jackrabbits already had in their clubhouse: chemistry.
“The chemistry matters,” head coach Rob Bishop said. “I’ve said this all along to anyone that would listen. Our guys really enjoy eachother, whether it’s at practice or in the weight room or having dinner. The group dynamic and the chemistry is outstanding. That doesn’t guarantee always playing good baseball but we’re capable of achieving more as a group than we would individually.”
SDSU previously faced the Cornhuskers on March 4 in Lincoln, falling 5-4. This time around, the Jacks are focused on making Nebraska — and any other team they face — earn every at-bat.
“Our biggest thing is limiting free bases,” Ty Madison said. “When we’ve gotten in trouble this year, it’s because we’ve given teams a lot of bases and they’ve capitalized on that which is what good teams do. Nebraska is a really good team and you have to give them credit for that so we need to be able to control the ball and limit their free bases.”
“Our goal is just to win the freebie battle,” Bishop said. “Give up less free bases than the other team does that we’re playing and not to beat yourself. Make the other team actually beat you.”
First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Hawks Field at Haymarket Park, and the game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
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