April 28, 2018
JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Baseball Triangular continued on the second day on Saturday at Jack Brown Stadium, hosted by the University of Jamestown (N.D.). Viterbo (Wis.) used a fast start in the first game, holding on to defeat Dakota State (S.D.) 5-2.
Dakota State is 4-27 overall record and 4-16 record in North Star conference play. After a pair of losses by Dickinson State (N.D.) at Presentation (S.D.) earlier in the day, the Trojans secured the final spot for the upcoming NSAA Baseball Postseason conference tournament next weekend in Jamestown or Valley City, N.D. Viterbo is 12-37 overall record and 9-11 in league play.
The V-Hawks earned the first lead of the game at 1-0 in the top first inning, thanks to back-to-back doubles with by Evan Wenberg and Adam Klos with one out. Brad Giss hit added an RBI single to score Klos to extend VU's lead to 2-0.
Viterbo scored a run in the top third inning with two outs. Giss was hit-by-pitch. He swiped to second base. Adam Lowe produced an RBI single to score Giss to extend VU's lead to 3-0.
Dakota State answered with a run in the bottom half of the third inning. Zach Sutera led off with a single and advanced to second base caused by V-Hawks defensive miscue. Jalen Boyd drilled an RBI double to score Sutera as the Trojans trailed 3-1.
With bases loaded situation and one out in the top fifth, Viterbo made it 4-1 as Brent Stoughtenger hit an RBI sacrifice fly.
DSU fell short for their attempt to come back in the game in the final inning. Marcos Alvarez hit a single with one out. Smith Kemper followed up with a single and advanced Alvarez to second base. Hayden Klibbe reached safely on first base with a fielder's choice, where Alvarez was forced out on third base. A wild pitch by the V-Hawks allowed Kemper run to third.
Sutera hit an RBI single with two outs to score Kemper as the Trojans cut the V-Hawks' lead to 5-2 in the bottom seventh frame.
The V-Hawks closed the game by recording the final out as the Trojans left two runners on base.
Sutera was perfect at the plate by going 3-of-3 with three singles, RBI and a run score for Dakota State. Boyd added a double and an RBI. Connor Nagel also added a double. Alvarez and Kemper each tallied a single.
Lowe and DJ Wilson each had two hits and an RBI for Viterbo. Klos had a double and an RBI. Giss and Stoughtenger each had a single and an RBI. Wenberg had a double. Noah Bouley recorded a single and swiped one base.
VU outhit DSU 10-8 in the game. The V-Hawks left nine runners on base compared to the Trojans five runners left on base.
Nagel (L, 1-7) recorded the defeat on the pitching mound for Dakota State. He worked for 4 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on ten hits. He struck out three VU's batters. Trey Randel and Jacob Yaeger combined for 2 1/3 shutout innings in relief.
Colton Anderson (W, 3-4) pitched a complete game victory for Viterbo. He gave up two runs on eight hits. He struck out six DSU's batters.
Dakota State plays No. 16-ranked Jamestown (N.D.) in the second game of the NSAA Triangular Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
