April 3, 2023

LINCOLN, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) continued its red-hot winning streak Monday morning, wrapping up their North Star Athletic Association baseball with another four-game series sweep with a 3-0 shutout victory over Presentation (S.D.) at Den Hartog Field.  The Trojans stretched its winning streak to 14 games, the longest winning streak this season as well as the longest winning streak since the 2007 season with 22 straight wins.

Dakota State raised their overall record to 21-12 and extended their conference best start at 12-0 record.  The Trojans are tied with No. 9 ranked Bellevue (Neb.) in the North Star Athletic Association conference standings with 12-0 record each.  Presentation remained winless at 0-26 overall record and 0-12 NSAA conference record.

Monday's DSU-PC might end the all-time series with Presentation closing after this spring.  It was the second straight year that the Trojans swept the four-game series with the Saints, as well as DSU's 11th win in the last 12 meetings with PC.

DSU is set for another North Star conference four-game series on Friday and Saturday versus Viterbo (Wis.).  Dakota State is scheduled to be the host for the series, with the location and game times have not yet been determined.  Stay tuned to the DSU Athletics' website on dsuathletics.com for future updates on schedule changes.

Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Presentation (S.D.) 0 – FINAL

• Dakota State prevented Presentation from scoring in the opening inning.  The Saints left two runners on base, despite Trevor Ball's hit-by-pitch followed by a single by Ethan Leech.
• PC failed to score in the top second frame after a walk by Trent White and a single by Dominic Sarmiento.
• The Trojans plated two runs in the bottom second inning to take the first lead of the game.  Mason Macaluso led off with a single.  Jace Pribyl reached safely on base caused by PC's defensive error and advanced Macaluso to second base.
• Macaluso and Pribyl each advanced one base after a passed ball by the Saints.  A defensive miscue by the Saints allowed Dawson Portner to reach safely on first base.  Macaluso and Pribyl each scored at home on the same play, giving DSU a 2-0 lead with two outs.
• Walker Hultgren smashed a lead-off home run in the bottom sixth inning, ballooning the Trojans' lead to 3-0.  It was his sixth home run this season.
• Presentation did not advance past second base throughout the seven-inning game, securing the victory for Dakota State.
• DSU and PC each recorded three hits in the game.  The Saints committed three defensive errors compared to the Trojans zero miscues.
• Hultgren had a home run and an RBI for Dakota State.  Macaluso added two hits.  Hultgren, Macaluso, and Pribyl each scored a run.
• Leech, Sarmiento, and Cobi Woodfin each had a single for Presentation.  White added a walk.
• JD Kirchner (W, 3-3) earned a complete game victory for the Trojans.  He limited the Saints to three singles in seven innings and recorded six strikeouts.
• Blake Smith (L, 0-1) registered the setback after working for four innings on the pitching mound for the Saints.  He gave up two unearned runs on two hits.  Peyton Rees tossed two innings in relief, allowing a run on one hit.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director