MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a tense, extra-inning affair defined by stellar pitching and a final, small-ball rally, the Minnesota Golden Gophers edged the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 3-2 in 10 innings on Saturday at Siebert Field.

The game, which defied a Interstat projection of a 7-4 Minnesota victory and a 75% win probability for the Golden Gophers, was decided in the bottom of the 10th. With the score tied 2-2, Minnesota’s Jacob Spanier drew a one-out walk against South Dakota State reliever Tristan Augedahl. Easton Richter followed with a double to right field, moving Spanier to third. Catcher Sam Hunt then executed a perfect sacrifice bunt on a fielder’s choice, allowing Spanier to dash home with the winning run.

The walk-off bunt capped a comeback for Minnesota, which improved to 11-3. South Dakota State fell to 4-9 despite outhitting the Golden Gophers 7-4 and receiving a heroic starting pitching performance.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning, which set the stage for the extra-inning drama. South Dakota State starter Sam Schlecht had been dominant, carrying a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings while protecting a 2-1 lead. With two outs and a runner on first, Davis Hamilton singled for Minnesota’s first hit, ending Schlecht’s day. Reliever Henry then entered and promptly committed a balk, allowing the tying run to score from third and erasing the Jackrabbits’ lead. That pivotal balk shifted the momentum, ultimately sending the game to extra innings where Minnesota prevailed.

Schlecht’s effort was the story for much of the afternoon. The right-hander finished with a line of 6 2/3 innings pitched, allowing no hits, two runs, one earned, with seven strikeouts. He was matched for six innings by Minnesota’s Isaac Morton, the top star for the Golden Gophers. Morton scattered four hits and struck out seven, allowing no earned runs. The Jackrabbits’ two runs came in the fourth on an RBI single by Taylor, a rally extended by a catcher’s interference call.

Adam Urban earned the win for Minnesota with three scoreless innings of relief, striking out four. Augedahl took the loss for South Dakota State.

Nolan Grawe led the Jackrabbits’ offense, going 3 for 5 with an RBI double. Davis Hamilton was key for Minnesota, going 2 for 3 with an RBI.

The Golden Gophers continue their homestand Sunday against Omaha. South Dakota State faces Southern Illinois in a neutral-site game in Minneapolis on Sunday before a road trip to Kansas State on Wednesday.