February 24, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dakota State (S.D.) faced a second team from the Great Plains Athletic Conference, Doane (Neb.), Saturday afternoon at PBR Homefield Baseball Complex. The Tigers won in a pitcher's duel by the score of 3-1 over the Trojans.
Dakota State dropped their third straight game after opening the season with seven straight wins (7-3 overall record). Doane, receiving votes in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, is 7-1 overall record (lost to William Penn, Iowa, earlier Saturday).
DSU closes out their preseason tournament Sunday with another two-game slate. The Trojans face Jamestown (N.D.), who will return to the North Star Athletic Association next year, at 10:30 a.m. and William Penn at 3:30 p.m. Both games will be held at PBR Homefield Baseball Complex.
(RV) Doane (Neb.) 3, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 – FINAL
Doane's Logan Amick reached on base after a walk followed by Joe Osbon's single to advance Amick to second base to lead off the game. Nate Mensik reached safely on base caused by DSU's defensive error and allowed Amick to score to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
DU added a run in the top third frame as Amick led off with a walk followed by Osborn's single to advance Amick to second base. Mensik hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Amick to third and Osborn to second base. Luke LaChance hit an RBI ground out to score Amick to extend Doane's lead to 2-0.
Dakota State registered their first hit of the game in the bottom fourth inning with a single from
Jeremy Green and was unable to score, despite leaving a runner at second base.
The Trojans snapped their scoring drought with a run in the bottom fifth frame.
Ryan McDaniel led off with a single.
Seth Altwine, catcher's courtesy runner for McDaniel, swiped to second base with one out.
Ned Ceklic produced an RBI single to score Altwine as DSU trailed 3-1.
Doane produced three straight hits in the top seventh inning to score a run. Osborn and Mensik hit back-to-back singles. Noah Winkelman drilled an RBI double to score Osborn to extend the Tigers' lead to 3-1.
Dakota State was unable to score in the bottom seventh frame, securing the victory for Doane.
The Tigers outhit the Trojans 7-5 in the game. DU left nine runners on base compared to DSU five runners left on base.
Ceklic sparked Dakota State's offense with two singles and an RBI. McDaniel added two singles. Green recorded a single.
Aidan Perry had a walk. Altwine swiped one base.
Osborn tallied three hits and a walk for Doane. Winkelman had a double and an RBI. Mensik, Brayden Jones and Max Harris each recorded a hit.
Sam Tyrpa (L, 1-1) took the defeat on the pitching mound for Dakota State. He allowed two runs on three hits and struck out eight DU's batters.
JD Kirchner tossed two innings in relief, giving up a run on four hits. He recorded two strikeouts.
Aaron Forrest (W, 3-0) earned a complete game victory for Doane. He yielded one run on five hits and registered nine strikeouts.
