April 5, 2018
LINCOLN, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) faced No. 15-ranked Jamestown (N.D.) in the final game of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Baseball Triangular at Densmore Field Thursday. The Trojans fell short for an upset bid as the Jimmies held on to a 2-0 shutout victory.
Dakota State is 0-19 overall record and 0-9 record in league play. Jamestown, who finished the triangular undefeated (defeated Viterbo, Wis. 1-0 prior to the game), lifted their overall record to 29-4 overall record and 6-3 NSAA conference record.
After two-and-half scoreless innings to start the game, Jamestown opened up with a 2-0 lead after scoring twice in the bottom third frame. Taichi Sasaki led off with a double. Jaden Yackley followed up with a single to advance Sasaki to third base.
Kory Wolden reached on base by DSU's defensive error and allowed Sasaki to score for UJ's first lead at 1-0 in the bottom third inning. Kaleb Binstock drilled an RBI double to score Yackley to extend Jimmies' lead to 2-0.
Dakota State could not get past second base in the game. The Trojans left seven runners on base, while the Jimmies had eight runners left on base.
Both teams registered four hits. Dakota State's defense registered two double plays in the game.
Samuel Drummond, Jordan Hofer, Marcos Alvarez and Christian Sanchez each recorded a single for DSU. Jalen Boyd, Dyshawn Proudlove and Hayden Klibbe each reached on base by a walk.
Yackley had two singles and a run scored for UJ. Sasaki and Binstock each had a double. Wolden and Binstock each produced an RBI. Sasaki reached on base by a walk twice. Nick Wrigg swiped one base.
Andrew Dayton (L, 0-1) recorded the loss on the pitching mound for Dakota State. He worked for three innings and allowed two runs on four hits. The Trojan used three different pitchers in relief, combining for three shutout innings. Trey Randel pitched in the fourth inning, while Jacob Yaeger worked in the fifth inning. Hunter Hazen pitched in the sixth inning for DSU.
Chase Thoetz (W, 6-0) remained undefeated for Jamestown as he struck out 13 DSU's batters in six innings. He held the Trojans to four singles and issued three walks. Eric Evans (S, 5) posted save after pitching a shutout seventh inning.
Jamestown, Viterbo and Dakota State each other will play three more games as part of the NSAA Triangular from April 27 through April 29 at Flynn Field in Madison, S.D.
Dakota State remains on the road on Wednesday afternoon. The Trojans are scheduled to visit NCAA Division I South Dakota State in a non-conference nine-inning game. First pitch from Erv Huether Field is set for 3 p.m. in Brookings, S.D.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
