Kirchner Named NSAA Pitcher-of-the-Week

Dakota State’s JD Kirchner was tabbed as this week’s NSAA Pitcher-of-the-Week.

Kirchner, Junior Pitcher, went to a 2-0 record and earned a save in three pitching appearances as the Trojans ballooned their winning streak after going 5-0 record for the week. He tossed 12 innings, including a complete game shutout over Presentation.

He earned his second pitching win of the week on April 7th, where he tossed four shutout innings in relief in holding off Viterbo 3-2. He recorded five strikeouts in the game and held the V-Hawks to two singles.

Kirchner closed out the week by shutting down VU in the four-game series finale on April 8. He collected his fourth save of the season, pitching a scoreless seventh inning in DSU’s 5-2 win over VU. 

For the week, Kirchner did not allow a run and yielded two opponents to seven total hits.  He recorded a total of 14 strikeouts.

After last week’s games, Kirchner posted an ERA of 2.72. He pitched 36 1/3 innings and limited the opponents to 15 runs (four unearned) and racked up a total of 35 strikeouts.  

He currently leads the North Star Athletic Association overall saves with four saves.

Kirchner is an integral member of the Trojans’ pitching staff as they produce a team ERA of 2.95 this season, which leads the NAIA in earned run average category. 

Dakota State has a 25-12 overall record this season, producing the longest winning streak since the 2007 season when the Trojans started that season with 22 straight wins. The Trojans also remained undefeated in the NSAA play with a 16-0 record, the most conference wins since joining the league in 2013-14.

DSU continues their league play Friday and Saturday with Dickinson State.