February 9, 2020

SALINA, Kan. – The Dakota State University (S.D.) Trojan baseball team went 0-3 record this weekend against Kansas Wesleyan of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) in their season opening series. The Coyotes defeated the Trojans 13-2 in seven innings (in a single nine-inning game) on Sunday afternoon at the Dean Evans Stadium.

Kansas Wesleyan improved their overall record to 3-3.  The Coyotes have won the last 11 meetings against the Trojans (DSU was seeking their first win over KWU since Feb. 24, 2010).

Dakota State returns to Kansas in hopes for their first wins of the season in for another three-game series against Southwestern (Kan.).  The three-game series take place at Broadway Recreation Complex in Winfield, Kan., beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m. followed by a single nine-inning game next Sunday.

Kansas Wesleyan (K.S.) 13, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL/7 innings

• Kansas Wesleyan came ready to compete Sunday afternoon, scoring four runs within the first inning.
• Spencer Keane got the first hit for the Coyotes, doubling to left field. Tyler Latham singled through the left side, allowing Keane to advance to third. Alex Cross walked to advance Latham to second base, which led to Keane scoring on a wild pitch for KWU 1-0 lead.
• KWU added another run caused by DSU's wild pitch, scoring Latham to make it 2-0 lead in the bottom first.  Jeffrey Cochran added an RBI single, while Aaron Gardner drove in two runs as the Coyotes' lead grew to 5-0.
• Kansas Wesleyan added three runs in the bottom second frame, highlighted by Bishop's bases-clearing 3-RBI double to balloon their lead to 8-0.
• Latham produced 2-RBI single to extend KWU's lead to 10-0 after three innings.
• Dakota State ended their scoring drought after scoring twice in the top fourth inning.  Jace Pribyl hit a single with one out.  Esai Hernandez smashed a 2-run home run to right field as the Trojans trailed 10-2.
• The Coyotes added three runs to make it 13-2 lead in the bottom sixth frame.
• KWU secured the game after retiring the final three batters in the top seventh inning, securing the victory in a nine-inning game.
• The Coyotes outhit the Trojans 11-3 in the game.  Kansas Wesleyan also ended with nine RBIs compared to two RBIs' by Dakota State.  KWU's offensive outburst also included five doubles.
• Hernandez had a home run and drove two runs for DSU.   Pribyl and Mike Vohnoutka each had a hit.  Samuel Drummond, Seth Resnick and Vohnoutka each reached on base by a walk.
• Bishop drove in three runs, double, and single for the Coyotes.  Latham, Cochran and Garner each registered two RBIs.  Keane, Latham and Garnder each tallied two hits.
• Alex Cross scored three runs in the game for Kansas Wesleyan.  He also recorded two stolen bases.  Keane, Latham and Trey Lopez each scored twice.
• Defensively, Dakota State had eight assists (Micah DeHarty with four assists) compared to Kansas Wesleyan seven assists.
• Kahlil Tilbury (L, 0-1) took the setback on the pitching mound for DSU.  He worked for two innings and allowed eight runs on seven hits.  Kevin Krumm pitched the third inning, yielding two runs on three hits.
• Dakota State's Jacob Yaeger tossed a shutout fourth inning, striking out all three KWU's batters.  Jared Urbach also added a shutout fifth inning in relief.  Logan Dexter worked for two outs in the bottom sixth inning, allowing three runs (one unearned on one hit.  Kobe Lien pitched the final out in the bottom sixth.
• Kaden Sitzman (W, 1-1) tossed a complete game victory for the Coyotes.  He gave up two runs on three hits and recorded nine strikeouts.

Madelyn Shockey, DSU Sports Writer