April 6, 2019

DICKINSON, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) grabbed the first lead of the game in the North Star Athletic Association baseball four-game series opener versus Mayville State (N.D.) at Astoria Field Saturday afternoon.  The Trojans were unable to hold on to the lead as the Comets defeated the Trojans 7-2 in the first game.  MSU used a six-run second inning and shut down DSU 6-0 in the second game.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 3-19 overall record and 1-9 NSAA conference.  Mayville State improved to 9-16 overall record and 3-7 record in North Star contests.

DSU and MSU concludes their conference's four-game series Sunday, with the first game at 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. (Mountain Time).

Game 1 – Mayville State (N.D.) 7, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL

The Trojans opened the game by earning the first lead of the game.  Jalen Boyd hit a single with one out.  He swiped to second base.  Jerrett Plunkett added a single and advanced Boyd to third base (Plunkett advanced to second base on the same play caused by MSU's defensive error).  Marcos Alvarez produced a two-out RBI single to score Boyd for 1-0 Trojans' lead.

Mayville State answered back with two runs scored in the bottom first.  Jared McCorrister hit a single and advanced to third base after Jonathan Pluth's double.  Zachary Foster produced an RBI single to score McCorrister.  Pluth advanced to third base on the same play and scored home caused by DSU's miscue as the Comets earned a 2-1 lead.

MSU plated two runs in the bottom third, thanks to Adrian Zubia's 2-RBI double with two outs to extend their lead to 4-1.

McCorrister smashed a solo home run as the Comets' lead ballooned to 5-1 in the bottom fourth frame.  He produced a 2-RBI single in the bottom sixth to widen their lead to 7-1.

Dakota State ended their scoring drought with a run scored in the top eighth.  Tanner Landman led off with a single.  Keaton Hoeke followed up with a double and advanced Landman to third base.  Boyd recorded an RBI sacrifice fly to score Landman as DSU trimmed MSU's lead to 7-2.

The Trojans left two runners on base when the game ended, despite a double from Samuel Drummond and a walk by Ryan Jackovich. 

Hoeke and Drummond each recorded a double for Dakota State.  Boyd collected a single, RBI and scored a run.  He swiped one base.  Alvarez added a single and an RBI.  Chris Burke, Plunkett and Landman each registered a hit. 

McCorrister led the Comets' explosion with a home run, two singles and drove in a game-high three RBIs.  Pluth went 3-of-3 at the plate with a double and two singles.  He recorded two stolen bases.  Zubia had a double, single and earned two RBIs.  Foster had two hits and an RBI.

MSU outhit DSU 11-7 in the game.  Mayville State left ten runners on base compared to Dakota State six runners on base.

Trey Randel (L, 1-4) recorded the setback on the pitching mound for DSU.  He worked for four innings and gave up five runs (one unearned) on six hits.  Micah DeHarty tossed two innings in relief and allowed two runs on three hits.  He recorded three strikeouts.  Steven Suarez pitched two scoreless innings, yielding the Comets to two hits.

Austin Herrington (W, 3-2) pitched eight innings in victory for MSU.  He gave up two runs on six hits and struck out nine Trojan batters.  Kenny Stewart worked the final inning in relief.

Game 2 – Mayville State (N.D.) 6, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL

Mayville State scored its all of their six runs in the bottom second inning and limited Dakota State to four hits for a 6-0 game two victory, producing a doubleheader sweep.

The Comets racked up six runs, all by two outs in the bottom sixth inning.  The highlight of the second inning saw a 2-RBI triple by Riley Nelson and back-to-back RBI singles by McCorrister and Pluth for MSU's 6-0 lead.

Boyd, Plunkett, Alvarez and Hoeke each had a single for the Trojans.  Adrian Butrimas had a walk.

Nielson had a triple and collected two RBIs for MSU.  McCorrister, Zubia and Pluth each had a single and an RBI.  Quinton Bidon had two hits.  McCorrister swiped three bases.

Mayville State registered seven hits in the game compared to Dakota State six runners on base. 

Adam Berryhill (L, 0-2) took the loss after pitching four innings for DSU.  He gave up six runs on six hits and recorded three strikeouts.  Ryan Peterson tossed two scoreless innings in relief, limiting the Comets to one hit.

Gabe Lizarraga (W, 3-2) earned the victory after pitching a complete game for MSU.  He allowed four hits and struck out six DSU's batters.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director