March 25, 2018
YANKTON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) opened up their North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Baseball conference season Sunday with a rare tripleheader at Riverside Park versus Mayville State (N.D.). The Comets swept the Trojans by the scores of 7-1, 3-1 and 16-6.
Dakota State is 0-13 overall record and 0-3 record in NSAA conference. Mayville State raised their overall record to 13-6 and 3-0 NSAA conference record.
The Trojans continue their North Star conference action next weekend with Presentation (S.D.) in a four-game series. DSU is scheduled to play in Aberdeen, S.D. with a doubleheader on Friday and return back to Madison on Saturday with another doubleheader.
Game 1 – Mayville State (N.D.) 7, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 – FINAL
Mayville State opened up with a 2-0 lead after the first inning and never looked back in the first game of the doubleheader. Rodney Gilbert had an RBI single in the opening inning.
With bases loaded in the top second inning, Jonathan Pluth recorded an RBI hit-by-pitch to give MSU a 3-0 lead.
The Comets scored twice in the top fourth frame and another run in the fifth inning to extend their lead to 6-0.
Dakota State snapped their scoring drought in the bottom sixth inning. Smith Kemper reached safely on base after MSU's defensive error. Jalen Boyd followed up with a single and advanced Kemper to second base. Samuel Drummond reached on base after a fielder's choice and advanced Kemper to third base, while Boyd was forced out at second base.
Jordan Hofer produced an RBI single to score Kemper as DSU cut MSU's lead to 6-1 in the bottom sixth.
After three consecutive walks to start the top seventh inning, Mayville State extended their lead to 7-1 after Riley Nelson's RBI sacrifice fly.
Boyd finished the game by going 2-of-3 at the plate for the Trojans. Hofer added a single, RBI and a walk. Hayden Klibbe had a single.
Andrew Hill, Spencer Merle and Nelson each tallied two hits for the Comets. JQ Folena added a double. Pluth, Gilbert, Brady Nygaard and Nelson each contributed an RBI.
MSU outhit DSU 9-4 in the game.
Connor Nagel (L, 0-3) recorded the loss after pitching six innings on the mound for Dakota State. He gave up six runs (three unearned) on nine hits. He registered five strikeouts. Tristan Smith worked the seventh inning in relief, allowing a run.
Erik Barron (W, 2-0) tossed a complete game victory for Mayville State. He yielded one unearned run on four hits and struck out eight DSU batters.
Game 2 – Mayville State (N.D.) 3, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 – FINAL
The Comets jumped to an early lead in the second game of the tripleheader and held off the Trojans late in the game by the score of 3-1.
Mayville State scored twice in the opening inning and added a run in the second inning for a 3-0 lead.
Dyshawn Proudlove was hit-by-pitch to start the bottom sixth inning for Dakota State. He swiped to second base. Nagel hit a ground out to first base and allowed Proudlove advance to third base. Justin Odlum reached safely on base caused by MSU's defensive miscue, while Proudlove scored at home on the same play for DSU's first run of the game (Trojans trailed 3-1).
The Comets ended the game with a double play, securing the victory.
Boyd, Nagel, Odlum, Zach Sutera and Kemper each had a single for the Trojans. Odlum produced an RBI. Proudlove recorded a stolen base. Drummond, Hofer and Marcos Alvarez each reached on base by a walk.
Folena, Zach Foster and Merle each had two hits for the Comets. Pluth and Mason Przybilla each registered an RBI.
Garrison Collier (L, 0-4) pitched a complete game, despite the loss on the mound for DSU. He allowed three runs (one unearned) on six hits. He struck out five MSU's batters.
Mason Swegarden (W, 2-0) earned the win after tossing six innings for MSU. He gave up an unearned run on five hits. He recorded seven strikeouts. Kalton Agnes (S, 3) pitched a shutout seventh inning in relief.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
