DSU Win Streak Extends to 18 After Another NSAA Series Sweep

This past weekend the Dakota State baseball team earned another four-game NSAA series sweep to extend their win streak to 18 games, getting victories of 13-3 and 5-2 against Viterbo.

Despite the first game being tied after the first two-innings, the Trojans began to separate themselves in the bottom of the third after a Chris Burke 2-RBI Single.

With the Trojans leading by one heading into the bottom of the fourth, up 4-3, that was when DSU fully began to take control, registering nine total runs in the inning. 

Manny Macaluso and Dawson Portner were both responsible for two runs scored in the fourth, with Macaluso hitting a 2-RBI Double, and Porter getting a 2-RBI Single. 

Neither team scored the rest of the way, as the Trojans earned the 13-3 win.

DSU outhit VU 11-7 in the game. The V-Hawks committed five defensive errors compared to the Trojans three defensive errors. VU left 10 runners on base compared to DSU three runners left on base.

Macaluso fueled the Trojans’ offense with two doubles and drove in four runs. Burke and Portner each added two singles and two RBIs. Ryan McDaniel tallied two hits and an RBI.  Walker Hultgren had two walks and an RBI. Jace Pribyl had a single and an RBI.  

Spencer Hans led the V-Hawks with two hits and two RBIs.  

Nicholai Arbach (W, 2-2) earned the victory after pitching four innings for Dakota State. He allowed three runs (one unearned) on five hits. He recorded four strikeouts. Cole Westerlund (S, 2) earned the save after tossing three scoreless innings in relief, yielding the V-Hawks to two hits.

Ben Strassman (L, 0-6) took the setback on the pitching mound for Viterbo. He gave up 13 runs (six unearned) on 10 hits.  Kyle Burns worked two scoreless innings in relief.

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Game two saw the Trojans trailing 2-1 after four innings, before the Trojans used a multi-run inning for a second straight game to take control. 

DSU piled up three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead up 4-2. With another run scored in the sixth, and the V-Hawks unable to answer, the Trojans took the series sweep after securing  the 5-2 win against Viterbo.

Both teams registered five hits and three defensive errors in the game. VU left eight runners on base compared to DSU four runners left on base.

Pribyl led the Trojans with a double, single, and an RBI. Hultgren, Macaluso, and Portner each had a single.  

Marcus Hornacek had a triple for Viterbo.  

Luke Guest (W, 5-2) earned the victory after pitching six innings for Dakota State. He allowed two runs (one unearned) on four hits.  He struck out six VU’s batters. JD Kirchner (S, 4) tossed a scoreless seventh inning for his fourth save of the season.

Anthony Sanchez (L, 1-2) took the defeat for Viterbo. He pitched five innings and gave up four runs (three unearned) on three hits. He had five strikeouts  Brandon Jaenke worked the sixth inning in relief, allowing an unearned run on two hits.

Dakota State’s winning streak grew to 18 games (longest winning streak since the 2007 season with 22 consecutive wins), raising their overall record to 25-12 and remained in sole possession for first place in the North Star conference standings at 16-0 NSAA record. Viterbo fell to 8-23 overall record and 6-10 record in the league.

Dakota State is scheduled to face Dickinson State in another NSAA four-game series next weekend.