May 3, 2024

DICKINSON, N.D. – Seventh-seeded Mayville State (N.D.) held on to defeat second-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) 4-3 in the North Star Athletic Association baseball postseason opening round Friday at Dakota Bank & Community Trust Ballpark.  The Comets scored two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings as they opened up a 4-1 lead.

The postseason tournament is hosted by Dickinson State (N.D.) for the second straight year.

Dakota State fell to 35-15 overall record, while Mayville State improved to 13-37 overall record after earning their second straight postseason tournament over the Trojans (last year's NSAA postseason tournament third-place game).

The Trojans now wait to face the loser's of No. 6 seed Dickinson State (N.D.) and No. 3 seed Valley City State (N.D.) Saturday morning at 10 a.m. (Central Time)/9 a.m. (Mountain Time), while the Comets play the winner of that game at 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. (Mountain Time).

[7] Mayville State (N.D.) 4, [2] Dakota State (S.D.) 3 – FINAL

Dakota State opened the scoring with a single run in the bottom third inning.  Bubba Thompson drew a lead-off walk and eventually came around to score on Ryan McDaniel's two-out RBI single to left field for a 1-0 lead.

Mayville State broke through in the sixth inning, taking a 2-1 lead on a two-out single by Michael Feralio that scored both Carson Lundmark and Chris Shopbell.

The Comets added two more runs in the top seventh, taking advantage of two Dakota State errors.  With runners on second and third, a two-out error allowed both Marcus Hughes and Anthony Villanueva to score as the Comets took a 4-1 lead.

DSU answered with two runs in the bottom seventh inning to trim their deficit to 4-3.  An RBI single by Jeremy Green made it 4-2 and then Thompson later scored on a throwing error, trailing 4-3.

The Trojans could get no closer as Mayville State's relief pitcher Gunner Thompson shut the door over the final 2 2/3 innings.  Thompson gave up just one hit and set the last five batters to earn his second save of the season.

Austin McClure (W, 3-3) earned the win for Mayville State, throwing 6 1/3 innings and scattering seven hits and three runs. 

Feralio paced the Comets' offense with a double, single, and two RBIs.  Marcus Hughes added two hits. 

McDaniel went perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three singles, an RBI, and a walk for the Trojans.  Green added a single, walk, and RBI.  Cameron DeMaria and Thompson each had a hit.  Cassidy Watt drilled a double.

Hunter Vikemyr (L, 7-5) took the defeat after working for 6 2/3 innings, giving up four runs (two unearned) on six hits.  He had four strikeouts.  JD Kirchner tossed 2 1/3 shutout innings in relief.