February 27, 2022

OMAHA, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) was unable to hold on to their lead in the final inning Sunday late afternoon as Morningside (Iowa) rallied back for an 8-7 walk-off victory at Millard North High School Baseball Field.  The Trojans finished the Joplin (Mo.) Baseball Tournament with a 1-3 record.

Dakota State fell to 6-4 overall record.  Morningside of the Great Plains Athletic Conference lifted their overall record to 7-1.

The Trojans look to bounce back in the winning column Wednesday evening as they play a nine-inning contest versus Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).  First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Aspen Park in Brandon, S.D.

Morningside (Iowa) 8, Dakota State (S.D.) 7 – FINAL

• Dakota State exploded for three runs in the opening inning.  Ryan McDaniel led off with a walk.  Noah Angstadt followed up with a single to advance McDaniel to second base.  Mason Macaluso added a single with one out to set up a bases loaded situation for DSU.
• Kameron Bryant drilled a 2-RBI double to score McDaniel and Angstadt to give DSU a 2-0 early lead in the top first (Macaluso advanced to third base).
• The Trojans made it 3-0 as Chris Burke produced an RBI ground out to score Macaluso).
• Morningside answered with two runs in the bottom half of the first inning.  Carter Kratz reached safely on base caused by DSU's defensive miscue.  Eddie Brancato followed up with a single to advance Kratz to second base.
• Jayson Willers hit an RBI single to score Kratz as the Mustangs trailed 3-1 in the bottom first.  After a passed ball by the Trojans, Hunter Hope hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Brancato as MC trimmed DSU's lead to 3-2.
• Dakota State's defense halted Morningside's scoring chances in the bottom second inning.  The Mustangs left the bases loaded as the Trojans maintained their 3-2 lead after two innings.
• DSU plated two runs in the top third frame, highlighted by Bryant's second double of the game.  Burke followed up with an RBI double to score Bryant to extend DSU's lead to 4-2.
• Josh Addington reached safely on base caused by MC's defensive miscue with two outs, allowing Burke to score home to balloon Dakota State's lead to 5-2 in the top third.
• Morningside scored a run in the bottom third, thanks to Hope's lead-off triple.  Gunner Kale hit a two-out RBI single to score Hope as the Mustangs trailed 5-3.
• Dakota State produced a pair of extra-base hits in the top fourth.  McDaniel led off with a double.  Macaluso smashed a two-out RBI double to score McDaniel as their lead grew to 6-3.
• Morningside rallied back to knot the game with three runs scored in the bottom fifth.  With bases loaded situation and two outs, Wade Canaday recorded an RBI walk as the Mustangs trailed 6-4.
• Carter Ades hit a 2-RBI double as Morningside knotted the game at 6-6 in the bottom fifth frame.
• Walker Hultgren reached safely on base in the top sixth inning, advancing to second base for the Trojans.  Angstadt hit an RBI double to score Hultgren as DSU regained their lead at 7-6.
• Kale reached on base by a walk with one out in the bottom seventh inning for MC.  Braden Smutz, pinch hitter for Canaday, hit a single to advance Kale to third base (Smutz advanced to second on threw). 
• Ades hit a walk-off 2-RBI single to score Smutz and Kale as the Mustangs secured the victory.
• Bryant finished the game by going 3-of-4 at the plate for Dakota State.  He hit three doubles and drove in two runs.  Macaluso added a triple, single and an RBI.  Angstadt had a double, single, and an RBI.
• Burke had a double and two RBIs for the Trojans.  McDaniel recorded a double, walk, and scored twice. 
• Ades was 2-of-4 at the plate with a double, single, and collected four RBIs for Morningside.  Willers added three hits and an RBI.  Hope recorded a triple and an RBI.  Kale had two hits and an RBI.
• MC outhit DSU 10-9.  The Mustangs left eight runners on base compared to the Trojans seven runners left on base.
• Mitsuki Shimonishi started the game on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He allowed two unearned on two hits.  Cameron Pitts tossed 3 2/3 innings in relief, giving up four runs on four hits.  Kahlil Tilbury worked for 1 2/3 innings after allowing two runs on three hits.  He recorded three strikeouts.  Cole Westerlund pitched the final batter of the game.
• Aiden Bishop tossed three innings for Morningside.  He gave up six runs (one unearned) on six hits.  He registered four strikeouts.  Josh Pratt worked for 2 1/3 innings in relief, allowing an unearned run on two hits.  Jordan Kyle recorded the victory after pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings.  He yieled one hit and struck out three Trojan batters.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director