May 9, 2022

FOREST CITY, Iowa – Second-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) met seventh-seeded Viterbo (Wis.) for the second time in the North Star Athletic Association Baseball Postseason Tournament at Forest City High School Baseball Field Monday morning.  The Trojans racked up 11 runs from the fourth through sixth innings to avenge its opening round setback by winning 11-4.

The Trojans, who lifted their overall record to 32-17, won their third straight elimination game, moving one game closer to the NSAA Baseball Postseason tournament's championship game versus No. 7-ranked Bellevue (Neb.).

The V-Hawks earned an 8-1 victory over the Trojans in the opening round on May 6.  Viterbo ended its season at 16-36 overall record.

Dakota State will now play their fourth straight elimination game in the league tournament, taking on third-seeded Dickinson State (N.D.) for a spot to the NSAA championship game.  This will be the first meeting between those two teams.

Dakota State (S.D.) 11, Viterbo (Wis.) 4 – FINAL

• Mason Macaluso broke another single season record for Dakota State in the top second inning.  He led off with a single, recording his 71st hit of the season and broke the previous record of 70 hits held by Anyelo Roman in 2012.
• Viterbo got on the scoreboard first after scoring two runs in the bottom third.  Adam Helgeson and Collin Hucken led off with back-to-back singles.  Kendal Hofer added a walk with two outs to set up a bases loaded situation.
• Blake Warner produced a 2-RBI single to score Helgeson and Hucken to give VU a 2-0 lead in the bottom third.
• The Trojans ended its scoring drought with a run scored in the top fourth.  With Walker Hultgren on first base after a walk with two outs and Kameron Bryant on second base, Chris Burke hit an RBI single to score Bryant as DSU trailed 2-1.
• Dakota State poured in six runs in the top fifth inning to earn their first lead of the game.  The Trojans fueled the scoring surge by hitting four straight singles by Jace Pribyl, Josh Van Beek, Ryan McDaniel, and Noah Angstadt.
• Angstadt produced an RBI single to score Pribyl as DSU tied the game at 2-2 with no outs in the top fourth.
• Macaluso smashed a grand slam with one out as the Trojans grabbed a 6-2 lead in the top fourth frame.
• The Trojans added a run in the top fourth, thanks to back-to-back doubles by Burke and Seth Altwine.  Altwine collected an RBI to score Burke as DSU extended their lead to 7-2.
• Cody Wells hit a double with two outs in the bottom fifth.  The V-Hawks trimmed their deficit to 7-3 as Kendal Hofer hit an RBI single to score Wells. 
• DSU plated four runs in the top sixth inning to balloon their lead.  Van Beek kicked off the inning with a walk and advanced to second base after McDaniel's sacrifice bunt.  Angstadt was hit-by-pitch.
• Bryant kicked off the scoring run with an RBI single to score Van Beek to make it 8-3 in favor of the Trojans. 
• W. Hultgren drilled a 2-RBI double with two outs to score Angstadt and Bryant as Dakota State's lead grew to 11-3 in the top sixth.
• The Trojans made it 12-3 as Burke reached safely on base caused by VU's defensive miscue, allowing W. Hultgren to score in the top sixth frame.
• Wells smashed a two-out solo home run in the bottom seventh inning as the V-Hawks trailed 11-4.
• Viterbo left a runner on base in the final inning as Dakota State secured the victory.
• The Trojans outhit the V-Hawks 13-9 in the game.
• Macaluso ignited DSU's offense with a home run, single, and drove in a game-high four runs.  Angstadt added three singles and an RBI.  Burke collected a double, single, and an RBI.
• Bryant and Altwine each had a hit and an RBI for Dakota State.  McDaniel, Van Beek, and Pribyl each recorded a hit.  W. Hultgren had a double, RBI, run scored, and a walk.
• Angstadt, Bryant, and Van Beek each scored twice for the Trojans.  Angstadt and Altwine each swiped one base.
• Wells was 3-of-5 at the plate with a home run, double, single and an RBI for Viterbo.  He scored twice.  Hofer added a single, RBI, and walk.  Marcus Hornacek hit a double.  Helgeson and Hucke each recorded a hit.
• Grant Svikulis (W, 5-1) earned the victory after tossing six innings on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He allowed three runs on seven hits and recorded five strikeouts.  Carver Hultgren worked for three innings in relief, yielding one run on two hits.  He struck out four VU's batters.
• Alec Danen (L, 0-2) took the loss on the pitching mound for Viterbo.  He worked for 4 1/3 innings and allowed six runs (one unearned) on eight hits.  He had five strikeouts.  Dante Selke and Cale Beckman also worked in relief.  Anthony Reza tossed three scoreless innings in relief.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director