February 16, 2024

JOPLIN, Mo. – Dakota State (S.D.) used another fast start to open the game and scored at least a run in each of the first four innings, propelling to a 9-4 victory over William Woods (Mo.) in the second game of the Joplin (Mo.) baseball tournament at Wendall Redden Stadium.  The Trojans extended the winning streak to six games.

Dakota State, who went 2-0 record in the tournament, remained undefeated this season with an overall record of 6-0.  William Woods, a member of the America Midwest Conference, fell to 5-2 overall record.  It was the first time both teams faced each other in program history.

The Trojans wrap up their tournament play Saturday with another two games.  DSU faces Kansas Christian at 10 a.m., followed by a contest with (RV) Concordia (Neb.) at 12:30 p.m.  Both games will be held at Joplin High School baseball field.

Dakota State (S.D.) 9, William Woods (Mo.) 4 – FINAL

Hunter Vikemyr reached on base caused by William Woods' defensive miscue to open the game.  After Vikemyr advanced to second base after Bubba Thompson's ground out, Walker Hultgren hit an RBI double to score Vikemyr to give DSU a 1-0 lead with two outs.

Dakota State continued their scoring surge as Ryan McDaniel drilled an RBI double to score Hultgren for a 2-0 lead in the top first.  Cory Brownson followed up with a 2-run home run blast to balloon DSU's lead to 4-0 (scored catcher's courtesy runner Seth Altwine).   It was Brownson's first home run this season for the Trojans.

DSU added a run in the top second frame.  Aidan Perry led off with a single and scored home from Thompson's two-out RBI double to make it 5-0 in favor of Dakota State. 

McDaniel led the top third inning with a double for DSU.  Dawson Portner produced an RBI single to score Altwine (courtesy runner for McDaniel) to widen the Trojans' lead to 6-0.

The Owls snapped their scoring drought in the bottom half of the third inning with a pair of runs.  Colby Caton hit a single with one out and advanced to second after Cade Irwin's ground out.  Matt Hanson followed up with hit-by-pitch.  Sean Goings hit a two-out 2-RBI double to score Caton and Hanson as the Owls trailed 6-2.

DSU answered with three runs in the top fourth inning, thanks to three consecutive singles to start the inning by Perry, Vikemyr, and Jeremy Green.  Green produced an RBI single to score Perry as the Trojans' lead grew to 7-2 (Vikemyr advanced to second).

With bases loaded situation in the top fourth, Thompson hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Vikemyr to make it 8-2 in favor of the Trojans.  Hultgren followed up with an RBI single to score Green, ballooning DSU's lead to 9-2.

Jackson Truesdell drilled a lead off triple in the bottom fourth and scored home after Jack Niggemeier's RBI ground out.  William Woods trimmed Dakota State's lead to 9-3.

Caton hit a lead-off double in the bottom seventh inning for the Owls.  Irwin followed up with an RBI single to score Caton as the Trojans maintained their 9-4 lead. 

DSU's defense ended the game with a double play, securing the victory.

Dakota State outhit William Woods 14-8 in the game.  The Owls committed two defensive errors compared to the Trojans one defensive error.  WWU left seven runners on base compared to DSU five runners left on base.

McDaniel sparked the Trojans' offense attack with three hits, including two doubles, and an RBI.  Hultgren added a double, single, and drove in two runs.  Brownson had a home run, single, and two RBIs.  Green and Portner each had a single and an RBI.  Thompson had a hit and two RBIs.  Altwine scored twice. 

Caton led the Owls with a double, single, and scored twice.  Irwin and Niggemeier each added a hit and an RBI.  Goings had a double and two RBIs.  Truesdell collected a triple. 

Sam Tyrpa (W, 2-0) earned the victory after tossing five innings on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He allowed three runs on five hits and recorded eight strikeouts.  Alex Swack pitched two innings in relief, giving up one run on three hits.

Max Benton (L, 1-1) took the loss for William Woods.  He pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up nine runs (two unearned) on 11 hits.  Tyler Abney pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, yielding the Trojans to three hits.  Benton and Abney each registered four strikeouts.