MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Minnesota Golden Gophers look to rebound from a tough conference series when they host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in nonconference baseball action Wednesday at Siebert Field.

Minnesota (18-13) dropped two of three at Iowa over the weekend, including a 5-4 loss Sunday. The Gophers will rely on outfielder Charlie Sutherland, who drove in three runs with a home run in that finale. Over his last 10 games, Sutherland has two homers and eight RBIs.

South Dakota State (9-19) enters with momentum from a 21-2 rout at Northern Colorado on March 29, part of a series where the Jackrabbits scored 52 runs. A key performer in that win was pitcher Kaden Rylance, who threw 4 2/3 innings of relief, allowing two earned runs. Rylance has been a bright spot, surrendering no hits over his last two appearances spanning 10 1/3 innings against Northern Colorado and Oklahoma State.

The teams met earlier this season on March 7, with Minnesota escaping with a 3-2, 10-inning victory. Interstat’s game simulator projects another close contest, forecasting a 4-3 South Dakota State win.

The Jackrabbits’ offense, which exploded for 21 runs twice in their last four games, will be tested by a Gophers pitching staff looking to tighten up after the Iowa series. Luke Wroblewski and Nate Wachter, who combined for seven RBIs in the March 29 win, will be central to SDSU’s efforts.

Following this midweek matchup, Minnesota opens a three-game home series against Washington on Friday. South Dakota State begins a series at Saint Thomas (Minn.) on Friday.