Preview: South Dakota State at Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The surging Minnesota Golden Gophers will look to continue their strong start to the season when they host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in nonconference baseball action Saturday.

The Golden Gophers (9-3) enter the weekend having won seven of their last eight games, including a 6-2 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday. They have been potent at the plate, scoring six or more runs in eight of their nine wins.

A key catalyst has been center fielder Easton Richter. He drove in four runs in Wednesday’s win and has four home runs and 11 RBIs over his last eight games. His production has been a cornerstone for a Minnesota lineup averaging over eight runs per game during its current hot streak.

South Dakota State (4-8) seeks to build momentum after a narrow 5-4 loss at Nebraska on Wednesday. The Jackrabbits have struggled for consistency, alternating wins and losses over their past seven contests.

Designated hitter Dayton Franke provides their primary power threat. He homered and drove in two runs in the loss to Nebraska. In a wild 19-18 loss to Incarnate Word on Feb. 18, Franke went 2 for 3 with a home run and five RBIs. His performance will be critical against a Minnesota pitching staff that has held opponents to three runs or fewer in five of its victories.

On the mound, South Dakota State received strong relief work from Jacob Sjuts and Dylan Richardson against Nebraska, each throwing two scoreless innings. They may need similar efforts to slow down the Gophers.

Minnesota’s bullpen has also been effective, with Caden Capomaccio striking out four in 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in the midweek win.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Minnesota is projected to win 7-4.

The game is part of a brief two-game homestand for Minnesota before a Tuesday matchup with Gonzaga. South Dakota State will remain in Minneapolis to face Southern Illinois on Sunday before a five-game road trip.

First pitch is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Siebert Field.