Trojans Score 16 Runs in Home Opener

In their home-opener last night, the Dakota State baseball team poured in 16 runs to get back into the win column, defeating Dakota Wesleyan 16-2.

The Trojans started their scoring early, getting five runs in the opening inning and grabbing a lead they would never relinquish. They then added four more runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by a Hakeem Yatim 2-RBI Double, as the Trojans extended their lead to 9-0.

In the third inning, DSU again had multiple runs, registering three more runs, with two coming off of Manny Macaluso’s 2-Run Home Run. 

The Tigers finally ended their scoring drought in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs in the inning. However, the Trojans answered with two more runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. 

DSU had another home run that brought in two runs, with Bo Wilson hitting the 2-Run homer to bring the Trojans lead up to 16-2 in the bottom of the fifth, which would be the final.

DSU’s Will Clair pitched three straight strikeouts to end the game in the top seventh inning.

The Trojans collected 15 hits in the game while the Tigers were limited to one hit. Dakota State left 11 runners on base compared to Dakota Wesleyan seven runners left on base.

Jeremy Green sparked Dakota State’s offense attack by going 3-of-3 at the plate with two doubles and drove in two runs. Macaluso added a home run, two singles, and drove in four runs. Yatim had a double, single, and two RBIs. Wilson had a home run and two RBIs. 

Ryan McDaniel had a double, two walks, and scored twice for the Trojans. Walker Hultgren added a single, walk, and scored three times. Jace Pribyl had a single and two RBIs. Chris Burke tallied an RBI and a walk.  

Landon Ruesink had a single and two RBIs for Dakota Wesleyan.  

Alex Swack started the game on the pitching mound for Dakota State, tossing three shutout innings. He registered five strikeouts. Mitsuki Shimonishi (W, 2-0) earned the victory after working in the fourth inning with one strikeout. Aiden Urbom, Aiden Rocha, and Clair each pitched one shutout inning in relief. Urbom recorded two strikeouts, while Rocha had a strikeout. Clair collected three strikeouts.

Nolan Anderson (L, 0-2) took the defeat after pitching two outs in the first inning, giving up five runs on two hits and issued four walks. Braxton Wilhelim tossed 2 1/3 innings in relief. Landon Waddell also pitched for two innings, while Logan Davis worked a scoreless sixth inning.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 29-13, winning for their 22nd win in the last 23 games. Dakota Wesleyan fell to 5-28 overall record. The Trojans won for the fourth time in the last five meetings with the Tigers.

The Trojans remain home Friday and Saturday as they resume to NSAA action, hosting its only home 4-game series of the season at Flynn Field versus Valley City State. The doubleheader on Friday starts at 1pm.