February 19, 2023

JOPLIN, Mo. – Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off the first game on the second day of the Joplin (Mo.) Tournament by pouring in a season-high 10 runs in 10-2 rout over Hastings (Neb.) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference at Joplin High School baseball field.  The Trojans snapped their five-game losing skid and recorded its first win over the Broncos since March 17, 2013.

Dakota State improved their overall record to 2-5.  Hastings fell to 1-6 overall record.

The Trojans close out the tournament with a contest against (RV) Columbia (Mo.).  First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.

Dakota State (S.D.) 10, Hastings (Neb.) 2 – FINAL

• Dakota State got on board first when Walker Hultgren hit a double down the left field line to score courtesy runner Ayden Spicer (for Ryan McDaniel), grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top first inning.
• The Trojans ballooned their lead to 3-0, thanks to Seth Altwine's 2-run home run in the top second frame.  It was his first home run this season and his second home run during his career at DSU.
• Hastings answered with two runs in the bottom second half, caused by Trojans' defensive error (DSU led 3-2).
• Dawson Portner produced an RBI ground out in the top third inning to extend Dakota State's lead to 4-2 in the top third inning.
• The Trojans piled up six runs in the top fourth inning.  Hultgren drew a bases loaded RBI walk to score Chris Burke for a 5-2 lead.
• Jeremy Green followed up with a 2-RBI double to score Spicer (runner for McDaniel) and Jace Pribyl to extend their lead to 7-2 in the top fourth inning.
• The top fourth inning was capped by Mason Macaluso's 3-run home run to score Hultgren and Green, increasing their lead to 10-3.  It was Macaluso's first home run this season, his 20th career home run at Dakota State.
• The Trojans shut down the Broncos for the rest of the game, securing the victory.  Dakota State outhit Hastings 10-2 in the game.
• The Broncos committed three defensive errors compared to the Trojans two defensive miscues.
• Macaluso paced DSU's offense attack with a home run, double, and drove in three runs.  Hultgren added two doubles, two RBIs, two walks and scored twice. 
• McDaniel produced a double, single, and walk for DSU.  Altwine hit a home run and drove in two runs.  Portner was 2-of-3 at the plate with an RBI, walk and swiped one base.
• Brody Severin and Eli Merritt each had a single and scored a run for Hastings.
• Grant Svikulis (W, 1-0) tossed his first career complete game on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He yielded the Broncos to two hits and recorded nine strikeouts.
• Jaden Jurgensmier took the defeat after working for 3 1/3 innings for the Broncos.  He allowed seven runs (one unearned) on seven hits.  Caden Holm worked for two outs in relief, giving up three runs on two hits.  Cooper Gierhan pitched three scoreless innings in relief, limiting DSU to one hit.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director