April 7, 2023

La CROSSE, Wis. – Dakota State (S.D.) held off Viterbo (Wis.) in the North Star Athletic Association baseball doubleheader Friday at Viterbo Outdoor Activities Complex Friday afternoon.  The Trojans stretched their winning streak to 16 games, the longest winning streak since the 2007 season (22 straight wins).

Dakota State raised their overall record to 23-12.  DSU extended their best start in the North Star Athletic Association, remaining undefeated with 14-0 record.  With Waldorf splitting their doubleheader on the same day at No. 5 ranked Bellevue (Neb.), the Trojans moved into sole possession for first place in the North Star baseball conference standings.

Viterbo fell to 8-21 overall record and 6-8 NSAA conference record.  VU served as the host site for the NSAA's four-game series, despite unplayable field conditions in Madison, S.D. (DSU is the home team in the series).

Dakota State and Viterbo conclude their four-game series with another doubleheader Saturday, with the first game at 12 p.m.

Game 1 – Dakota State (S.D.) 3, Viterbo (Wis.) 2 – FINAL

• Viterbo jumped to an early lead in the nine-inning contest in the four-game series opener. Dakota State mounted a late comeback in the final two innings to secure the victory.
• The V-Hawks kicked off the game with a single by Kendal Hofer followed by Marcus Hornacek's walk.  Spencer Hans recorded a sacrifice bunt to advance Hofer to third base and Hornacek to second base.
• Hunter Hess reached safely on base first base after DSU's defensive error, allowing Hofer to score for VU's 1-0 lead (Hornacek advanced to third base).
• Viterbo extended their lead to 2-0 in the top first inning after an RBI single by Carson Trumpold, scoring Hornacek.
• Dakota State was unable to score in the bottom sixth frame, despite leaving runners on third and first base (Ryan McDaniel and Jeremy Green each recorded a single in the sixth inning).
• The Trojans prevented the V-Hawks from scoring in the top eighth inning with bases full.
• DSU snapped their scoring drought after plating two runs in the bottom eighth inning.  Seth Altwine hit a single with one out and advanced to second base after a passed ball by the V-Hawks.
• McDaniel added a walk for the Trojans in the bottom eighth.  Walker Hultgren drilled a 2-RBI double to score Altwine and courtesy runner Daniel Lesher (for McDaniel), knotting the game at 2-2.
• Hultgren advanced to third base after VU's wild pitch in the bottom eighth.  The V-Hawks halted the Trojans to score to end the eighth inning.
• Chris Burke registered a walk with one out in the bottom ninth inning to ignite a comeback for DSU.  Dalton Nelson recorded a fielder's choice while Burke was safe at second base after a defensive miscue by the V-Hawks.
• Pinch hitter Bo Wilson recorded a walk to set up a bases loaded situation for Dakota State in the bottom ninth.  The V-Hawks committed a balk, allowing Burke to score to secure the victory for DSU.
• Viterbo had nine hits in the game compared to Dakota State seven hits.  VU left 15 runners on base compared to DSU five runners left on base.
• Green led the Trojans with three singles.  Hultgren had a double and collected two RBIs.  McDaniel had two singles and a walk.  Altwine recorded a single and a run scored.  Burke had a walk and a run scored.
• Hofer was 3-of-5 at the plate with three singles and a run scored.  Hornacek added two singles.  Hess and Trumpold each had a single and an RBI.  Gavin Daniel recorded a single.
• Grant Svikulis pitched five innings for Dakota State.  He gave up two runs (one unearned) on six hits and recorded four strikeouts.  JD Kirchner (W, 4-3) earned the victory in relief, tossing four scoreless innings.  He limited the V-Hawks to three singles and registered five strikeouts.
• Bryant Koenig pitched six scoreless innings for Viterbo.  He yielded five singles.  Dominic LeBlanc worked for 1 1/3 innings in relief, giving up two runs on two hits.  Alec Danen (L, 1-3) took the defeat after pitching one-plus inning, allowing a run and two walks.

Game 2 – Dakota State (S.D.) 4, Viterbo (Wis.) 1 – FINAL

• Dakota State scored the first two runs in the bottom first inning in a seven-inning contest and never trailed for the rest of the game to earn a doubleheader sweep.
• McDaniel led off with a walk for the Trojans in the bottom first.  Lesher advanced to second base after VU's passed ball.  DSU made it 1-0 as Hultgren hit an RBI double to score Lesher.
• After Green's fly out to center field to advance Hultgren to third base, Mason Macaluso produced an RBI single to score Hultgren to stretch DSU's lead to 2-0.
• Cody Lozano hit a single with one out in the top third inning for the V-Hawks.  Hofer followed up with an RBI double to score courtesy runner Remy Stern to trim DSU's lead to 2-1.
• With bases loaded situation in the bottom fifth frame after an intentional walk to DSU's Macaluso, Burke blasted a 2-RBI double to score Hultgren and Green to stretch their lead to 4-1.
• Viterbo left a runner on base when the game ended, securing the victory for Dakota State.
• Dakota State had seven hits in the game compared to Viterbo six hits.  The Trojans left seven runners on base compared to the V-Hawks six runners left on base.
• Burke was 2-of-3 at the plate with a double, single, and drove in two runs for DSU.  Hultgren added a double, single, and an RBI.  Macaluso had a single, two walks, and an RBI.  McDaniel tallied a single and a walk.  Dawson Portner recorded a single.
• Hofer had a double and an RBI for VU.  Hornacek, Hess, Trumpold, Ryan Brooks, and Lozano each registered a single.
• Sam Tyrpa (W, 6-0) tossed a complete game victory on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He allowed one run on six hits and struck out four VU's batters.
• Cale Beckman (L, 1-2) took the setback after working for five innings, giving up four runs on seven hits.  He recorded four strikeouts.  Brandon Shepherd pitched a shutout sixth inning in relief.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director