Trojans Use 35 Total Strikeouts to Get Doubleheader Sweep on Sunday

Dakota State’s pitching staff recorded a total of 35 strikeouts during yesterday’s doubleheader, as the Trojans defeated the Valley City State Vikings by the scores of 5-3 and 7-1.

The Trojans opened up the scoring in the first game by registering a run in the bottom of the first. The Vikings then brought in two runs in the top of the third to take the lead. After extending their lead in the top of the sixth, the Trojans answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Trojans scored two more runs to get the 5-3 victory. 

The Trojans outhit the Vikings 7-5 in the game. VCSU committed seven defensive errors while DSU did not record a defensive miscue. Dakota State left 13 runners on base compared to Valley City State four runners left on base.

Walker Hultgren finished the game by going 3-of-5 at the plate with a double, two singles, and an RBI for DSU. Chris Burke added a double, single, and an RBI. Jeremy Green tallied a hit and an RBI.  

Jaden Babiuk tallied two doubles and an RBI for VCSU.  

Sam Tyrpa (W, 8-0) tossed eight innings to earn the victory for Dakota State. He allowed three runs on five hits and did not issue a walk. He set a single-game record of 18 strikeouts.  JD Kirchner (S, 6) earned the save after tossing a shutout ninth inning and registered three strikeouts.

Hunter Magnuson started the game on the pitching mound for Valley City State. He worked for 5 2/3 innings and gave up three runs (one unearned) on three hits. He recorded four strikeouts.  Keeton Clark (L, 0-1) took the defeat after allowing two unearned runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. Jace Hanson pitched 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

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The Trojans took the early lead once again in the second game, as they again opened the game with a run in the first inning. This time though, they never gave up the lead.

Up 2-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Trojans scored five runs in the inning to help secure their lead, thanks in large part to Ryan McDaniel’s grand slam. 

The Vikings scored their only run in the top of the seventh as the Trojans won 7-1.

The Trojans tallied nine hits in the game compared to the Vikings two hits. DSU left five runners on base, while VCSU left three runners on base.

Green was perfect at the plate, going 3-of-3 with a double, two singles and an RBI for Dakota State. Manny Macaluso added two singles and two RBIs. McDaniel had a home run and collected four RBIs.  

Babiuk had a double and a run scored for Valley City State.  

Grant Svikulis (W, 6-1) tossed a complete game victory for the Trojans.  He allowed one run on two hits and struck out a season-high 14 strikeouts. 

Daniel Alvarado (L, 1-4) suffered the setback for the Vikings.  He gave up four runs on six hits.  Carter Dodd worked for one inning and allowed three runs on three hits.

Dakota State has now won 24 times in the last 25 games to raise their overall record to 31-13.  The Trojans earned at least 30 wins for the second consecutive season, and also extended their North Star conference’s school record wins to 21 victories (21-1 record in the NSAA this season, holding a first place in the conference standings behind No. 5 ranked Bellevue, Neb. who is at 22-2 conference record). Valley City State fell to 11-27 overall record and 7-15 record in the league.

The Trojans also clinched the winning record at home for the second straight year. Dakota State honored their nine seniors after the second game of their Senior Day ceremony. Their seniors are Chris Burke, Hakeem Yatim, Mason Macaluso, Mitsuki Shimonishi, Grant Svikulis, Reese Miller, Bo Wilson, Jace Pribyl, and Chase DeWitt.

DSU and VCSU will wrap up their conference four-game series this afternoon, with the first game starting at 12pm.