February 18, 2023

JOPLIN, Mo. – Dakota State (S.D.) could not end their losing skid Saturday evening, falling to William Penn (Iowa) by the score of 4-1 in the second game of the Joplin (Mo.) Tournament at Joplin High School baseball field. 

The Trojans are 1-5 overall record this season.  William Penn, a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, remained undefeated at 5-0 overall record including a 13-3 victory over North Star's foe Viterbo (Wis.) earlier Saturday.

Dakota State looks to end their losing streak Sunday as they close out the Joplin Tournament.  The Trojans face Hastings (Neb.) at 10 a.m., followed by another contest versus (RV) Columbia (Mo.) at 12:30 p.m.

William Penn (Iowa) 4, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 – FINAL

• The Statemen scored the first run of the game in the top first inning, thanks to Franklin Aparicio's lead-off walk.  He advanced to second base after a passed ball by the Trojans.  Aparicio advanced to third base after Tim Jean's ground out.
• Abraham Arroyo hit an RBI sacrifice line out to score Aparicio, giving WPU a 1-0 lead in the top first.
• Dakota State left a pair of runners on third and second bases, despite getting back-to-back singles from Jeremy Green and Walker Hultgren with two outs. 
• Leland Riley II led off the top second with a double for William Penn.  Joel Holguin reached on base caused by DSU's defensive error and advanced Riley II to third base.
• Nathan Jessell hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Riley II to extend WPU's lead to 2-0 in the top second frame.
• The Statemen added another run in the top third inning to extend their lead to 3-0.
• William Penn made it 4-0 in the top sixth frame after Dillan Schrock's RBI single.
• Dakota State snapped its scoring drought with a run scored in the bottom sixth inning.  After Mason Macaluso fielder's choice, Jace Pribyl hit a single to advance Macaluso to third base.  Dawson Portner produced an RBI to score Macaluso as the Trojans trailed 4-1.
• The Trojans left two runners on base in the final inning as the Statemen held on to secure the victory.
• Hultgren and Pribyl finished the game by going 2-of-3 at the plate for Dakota State.  Ryan McDaniel, Chris Burke, and Green each had a hit.  Hakeem Yatim and Seth Altwine each also had a hit.
• Jean and Schrock each led the Statemen's offense with two hits and an RBI.  Arroyo added a hit and an RBI.
• The Trojans outhit the Statemen 9-8 in the game.  DSU left eight runners on base compared to WPU six runners on base.
• Nicholai Arbach (L, 0-1) took the loss after tossing 3 2/3 innings on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He allowed three runs (two unearned) on four hits and registered five strikeouts.  Aiden Rocha tossed 3 1/3 innings in relief, giving up a run on four hits.
• Nick George (W, 1-0) earned the victory after tossing six innings and allowed one run on nine hits for William Penn.  E.J. Roncone (S, 1) earned the save after pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director