February 25, 2025

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Cory Brownson blasted a pair of home runs and drove in all five runs as Dakota State (S.D.) survived Midland's (Neb.) seventh inning comeback for a 5-4 victory on the second day of the Tiger Classic at Sauder Field.  The Trojans extended their winning streak as they scored at least a run in each of the first six innings for an 8-1 victory over host team Baker (Kan.).  The Trojans hit four total home runs on Tuesday.

Dakota State improved their overall record to 2-5, snapping their five-game losing skid to start the season.  Midland, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, fell to 2-8 overall record.  Baker, a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, also fell to 2-5 overall record.

DSU plays their first four-game series of the season Friday and Saturday as they visit Sterling (Kan.).  The doubleheader kicks off at 11 a.m. on each day at SC Baseball Field in Sterling, Kan.

Dakota State (S.D.) 5, Midland (Neb.) 4 – FINAL

The Trojans kicked off the bottom first inning with the five batters reached safely on base.  Darcy Barry led off with a walk and swiped to second base.  Aidan Perry added a single, followed by George Hogan fielder's choice to set up a bases loaded situation.

Brownson smashed a grand slam as Dakota State earned a 4-0 lead in the bottom first with no outs.  Cameron DeMaria followed up with a walk and could not convert their scoring chance.

DSU ballooned their lead to 5-0 after Brownson hit a lead-off home run in the bottom third frame, his second home run of the game.

Midland mounted a furious comeback in the top seventh inning.  The Warriors reached safely on base by a walk from three straight batters – Anthony Martinez, Alec Villanueva, and Jacob Liquori.  After a pitching change by the Trojans, Dax Wandler hit a grand slam as MU trimmed DSU's lead to 5-4.

Dakota State's defense halted the Warriors' chances to score as they left the bases full when the game ended, securing the first win of the season for the Trojans.

The Trojans recorded four hits in the game compared to the Warriors three hits.  DSU left seven runners on base compared to MU with two runners left on base.

Brownson was 2-of-3 at the plate with two home runs and five RBIs for Dakota State.  He scored two runs.  Perry added two singles and a run scored.  Barry had a run, stolen base, and walk.  Hogan had a run. 

Wandler led the Warriors with a home run and four RBIs.  Eimir Perez and Hadyn Crawford each added a hit.

Hunter Vikemyr (W, 1-1) earned the victory on the pitching mount for the Trojans.  He tossed six innings and limited Midland to two hits.  He registered nine strikeouts.  Curtis Flint and Alexander Ferrin each pitched in the top seventh inning in relief.  Braylon Bear (S, 1) earned the save after pitching the final two outs of the game.

Zachary Vincent (L, 0-3) recorded the defeat after pitching four innings for the Warriors.  He allowed five runs on four hits and collected four strikeouts.  Lucas Hamzeh tossed two shutout innings in relief.

Dakota State (S.D.) 8, Baker (Kan.) 1 – FINAL

Dakota State scored at least a run in the first six innings and never trailed in the game to earn an 8-1 victory over Baker in the second game.

Barry led off the game with hit-by-pitch and advanced to second base after Perry's single.  After a wild pitch by the Wildcats to advance Barry to third and Perry to second, Brownson hit an RBI single to score Barry to give DSU a 1-0 lead.

Cassidy Watt and Camaron Haller started the top second inning with back-to-back singles for the Trojans.  Connor Raney hit a ground out to advance Seth Altwine, courtesy runner for Watt, to third base and Haller to second base.

Barry produced an RBI sacrifice fly to score Altwine to extend Dakota State's lead to 2-0 in the top second.

With runners on third and first base in the bottom half of the second frame, Baker recorded a double steal as Jon Jenkins scored home on the play (DSU led 8-1).

DeMaria highlighted the top third inning after drilling an RBI double to score Hogan, who led off with a single.  Dakota State led 3-1 after three innings.

Barry smashed a solo home run to increase the Trojans' lead to 4-1 in the top fourth frame.

DeMaria added a 2-run home run in the top fifth inning, scoring Brayden Byrum who came in to pinch hit for Brownson.  DSU led 6-1 after the fifth inning.

The Trojans plated two more runs in the top sixth inning, capped by an RBI single from Hogan for an 8-1 lead.

Baker left two runners when the game ended, earning the victory for Dakota State.

DSU outhit BU 11-3 in the game.

DeMaria finished the game by going 2-of-4 at the plate with a home run, double and drove in three runs.  Perry and Hogan each tallied two hits.  Barry had a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs.  Brownson recorded a hit and an RBI.  Watt, Haller, and Raney each recorded a single.  Raney swiped one base.

Camden Karlin led the Wildcats with a double.  Kolden Howerton and Jenkins each added a single.

Sam Tyrpa (W, 1-1) earned his first win of the season after working for five-plus innings on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He scattered one run on three hits and collected four strikeouts.  Alex Swack tossed two shutout innings in relief, recording three strikeouts.

Kole Starlin (L, 0-2) recorded the defeat for Baker.  He tossed 2 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits.  Brayden Youkon pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, giving up three runs (one unearned) on two hits and recorded five strikeouts.  Jake Miller and Camden Karlin each pitched one inning in relief.