Pinch-hit home runs are a pretty rare occurrence at any level.
Monday, the Jimmies pulled it off three times, all in dramatic fashion.
In the opener against 22nd-ranked Mayville State, Kaleb Binstock's clutch blast delivered the Jimmies a 7-6 win in the bottom of the 10th inning. In game 2, Alex Sablan and Mark Kane clubbed pinch-hit shots to tie and then take the lead in another one-run win, 3-2. As a result, the Jimmies pulled off a North Star Athletic Association sweep in Aberdeen, S.D.
"You take a lot of things into consideration in those situations," UJ coach Tom Hager said of pushing the right (power) button three times. "Certainly you look at matchups, past history and who's hot.
"Sometimes, it's a suggestion for an assistant coach and sometimes it's gut instinct. Those three guys made the coaches look pretty smart today."
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The games were played in Aberdeen where the weather was more palatable. In the four-game series between the No. 2 and 3 teams in the North Star, the Jimmies won three against the 36-9 Comets.
"It was two great college baseball games," Hager said. "I'm really proud of my guys. Mayville is a quality baseball team and for us to win two games today is a big step in the right direction."
The Jimmies, who improved to 14-6 in the NSAA and 33-16 overall, also got strong pitching.
In game 2, Logan Lund fired a complete game, allowing just one run on five hits with six strikeouts. The senior from Tolna, N.D., had struggled of late, but delivered a dandy on Monday.
"He had a different focus ... a different intensity and a sense of purpose today. He pitched with conviction," Hager said of Lund. "He was awfully, awfully good."
In the opener, Chase Thometz got off to a shaky start but steadied the ship and went seven solid innings with 11 strikeouts. Reliever Eric Evans got the win with three scoreless innings of relief as Binstock's solo shot in the bottom of the 10th sent the Jimmies of a winner.
"We got quality starting pitching performances today and Evans closed the door. It was fun to watch," Hager said. "The season is winding down. Hopefully we're able to build on this as we come down the stretch."
Weather permitting, the Jimmies head back to South Dakota (Redfield) on Wednesday for one nine-inning game against Dakota Wesleyan.
University of Jamestown 7, Mayville State 6, 10 innings
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MSU 023 100 000 0 -- 6 10 1
UJ 060 000 000 1 -- 7 15 1
Mahoney, Torgerson (6) and Walsh. Thometz, Evans (8) and Irey. W--Eric Evans. L--Torgerson. HR--UJ, Tyler Ludlow, Kaleb Binstock.
Highlights: MSU, Riley Nelson 2-3 R, 2 RBI. UJ, Kory Wolden 3-4 R, 2 RBI, SB; Binstock 1-1 HR, RBI; Nico Kelly 1-4 R, RBI; Ludlow 3-4 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB; Taichi Sasaki 2-3 R; Thometz 7 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO; Evans 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB 2 SO.
Jamestown 3, Mayville 1
MSU 000 100 0 -- 1 5 1
UJ 00 012 x -- 3 3 0
Bonnema, Agnes (5) and Yamaguchi, Walsh (6). Lund and Irey. W--Logan Lund. L--Agnes. HR--MSU, Brady Nygaard. UJ, Mark Kane, Alex Sablan.
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Highlights: UJ, Lund 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO; Alex Sablan 1-1 PH HR; Mark Kane 1-1 PH HR.
