March 10, 2020
TUCSON, Ariz. – Dakota State (S.D.) could not get back in the winning column Tuesday afternoon on the second day of the Tucson (Ariz.) Baseball Invitational at Kino Sports Complex. Morningside (Iowa) jumped to a 10-0 lead after five-and-half innings and never looked back for a 16-2 victory.
The Trojans fell to 6-7 overall record. The Mustangs improved their overall record to 11-11.
Dakota State takes a day off Wednesday before returning to action on Thursday. The Trojans take on William Penn (Iowa) in a doubleheader on Thursday morning.
The Trojan baseball developmental team earned a 1-0 season opening victory over Marian (Ind.) in extra innings earlier in the day Tuesday. Logan Dexter recorded the victory in relief. Chase DeWitt produced the game-winning hit. The DSU baseball developmental team continues their action Wednesday evening as they take on Hibbing Community College (Minn.).
Morningside (Iowa) 16, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL
- Both teams were unable to score through the first two innings, despite each team leaving two runners on base in the first inning. The Trojans were unable to convert their scoring chances in the bottom second frame after a bases loaded situation with two outs.
- The Mustangs plated three runs in the top third inning, earning a 3-0 lead. MC scored its first run of the game from a wild pitch and scored two more runs caused by DSU's defensive miscue for a 3-0 lead.
- Morningside added a pair of runs in the top fourth frame, thanks to a pair of RBI singles by Jordan Pierce and Rease Snyder as the lead grew to 5-0.
- The Mustangs scored three runs in the top fifth to make it 8-0 lead. Morningside extended their lead to 10-0 in the top sixth after back-to-back RBI doubles by Levi Davidson and Hunter Hope.
- Dakota State ended its scoring drought in the bottom sixth inning with two runs scored. Jeremiah Zimmerman led off with a single. A wild pitch by the Musatngs advanced Zimmerman to second base. Jace Pribyl drilled an RBI double to score Zimmerman as the Trojans trailed 10-1.
- Pribyl advanced to third base after a wild pitch by the Mustangs in the bottom sixth. Esai Hernandez produced an RBI single to score Pribyl as the Trojans cut MC's lead to 10-2.
- Morningside exploded for six runs in the top seventh inning to widen their lead to 16-2.
- The Mustangs secured the game by shutting down the Trojans in the bottom half of the seventh inning.
- Hernandez went 2-of-4 at the plate with a double, single and an RBI for Dakota State. Pribyl added a double and an RBI. Zimmerman, Chris Kropuenske, Mason Macaluso and Cameron Pitts each hit a single. Mike Vohnoutka reached on base by a walk two times. Pribyl, Kropuenske, Macaluso, Jackson O'Neal and William Mote each had a walk.
- Hope led the Mustangs with five RBIs. Sam Huska added three hits and three runs scored. Snyder produced two hits and an RBI. Levi Davidson and Pierce each had a hit and drove in two runs.
- MC outhit DSU 10-7 in the game. The Trojans committed eight defensive errors compared to the Mustangs one error. Dakota State left 13 runners on base, while Morningside left nine runners on base.
- Kobe Lien (L, 1-2) took the defeat on the pitching mound for DSU. He allowed five unearned runs on five hits. Kevin Krumm tossed two innings in relief, giving up five runs (three unearned) on four hits. David Kirby, Logan Dexter and Trey Randel also pitched in relief.
- Justin Lottman started the game for MC. He tossed three scoreless innings, yielding three hits and issuing five walks. Jake Prewitt (W, 1-1) recorded the victory after pitching two scoreless innings in relief. Billy Mount pitched the sixth inning and gave up two runs on three hits. Jake Cera tossed a shutout seventh inning.
- Both teams will meet for the second time later this month. Dakota State is scheduled to host Morningside (Iowa) in a doubleheader on March 25 at Flynn Field.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
