April 28, 2018

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Nationally-ranked Jamestown (N.D.) posted their third straight win Saturday afternoon, rolling past Dakota State (S.D.) 22-2 in the second game of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Baseball Triangular at Jack Brown Stadium.

Dakota State, who was playing as the 'home team' since the NSAA Triangular was moved to Jamestown, fell to 4-28 overall record and 4-17 NSAA record in league play.  Jamestown, No. 16 in the latest NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, raised their overall record to 36-7 and 13-6 record in North Star contests.

The Jimmies raced to a 3-0 lead after opening up the game with two straight hits (Kory Wolden with a single, followed by Jaden Yackley's double).  Kaleb Binstock hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Wolden for UJ's first run of the game (Yackley advanced to third base).  A passed ball by the Trojans allowed Yackley to score to extend Jamestown's lead to 2-0.

Tyler Ludlow and Quinn Irey hit back-to-back singles for the Jimmies in the top first.  Scooter Turin produced an RBI ground out to score Ludlow as UJ ballooned their lead to 3-0.

Dakota State answered with a run in the bottom first frame.  Alec Gannon led off with a walk.  Marcos Alvarez followed up with a sacrifice bunt to advance Gannon to second base.  Samuel Drummond was hit-by-pitch.  Justin Odlum produced an RBI single to score Gannon as DSU cut UJ's lead to 3-1.

Jamestown exploded for a total of nine runs in the top second inning to widen their lead to 12-1, highlighted by Ludlow's 2-run home run and a 3-run home run by Taichi Sasaki.

The Trojans scored once in the bottom second inning.  Hayden Klibbe hit a single and advanced to second base on the same play caused by UJ's defensive miscue.  Micah DeHarty reached safely on first base after a fielder's choice and advanced Klibbe to third base.  Fabian Boria hit an RBI single to score Klibbe as the Trojans trailed 12-2.

Jamestown scored a total of 10 runs from the third through fifth innings and never looked back as they secured the victory.

Boria and Odlum each collected a single and an RBI for Dakota State.  Klibbe and Gannon each had a single and a run scored.  Gannon reached on base by a walk. 

The Jimmies smashed a total of four home runs (Nick Wrigg, Sasaki, Binstock and Ludlow), four doubles (Wolden, Irey, Yackley and Tanner Roundey) and a triple (Yackley) in the game.  Binstock, Turin and Sasaki each drove in three runs.  Ludlow and Wrigg each added two RBIs.  Roundy swiped two bases.

UJ had 18 hits compared to DSU four hits.

Kyle Grant (L, 0-2) took the loss after tossing 1 2/3 innings for Dakota State.  He allowed 12 runs (8 unearned) on 10 hits.  Trey Randel and Hunter Hazen also pitched in relief.  Jalen Boyd worked for 2 2/3 scoreless innings, yielding UJ to one hit.

Joe Spradlin (W, 3-0) earned the victory after pitching six innings on the mound for Jamestown.  He scattered two runs on four hits and struck out seven Trojans' batters.  Seth Pigg tossed a shutout seventh inning with three strikeouts.

Dakota State concludes their regular-season schedule Sunday afternoon with another North Star Triangular games.  The Trojans face Viterbo (Wis.) at 2:30 p.m., followed by a regular-season finale game versus Jamestown at 5 p.m.  Both games will be played at Jack Brown Stadium.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director