March 15, 2025

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Despite losing the suspended game late Saturday morning at the University Baseball Field, Dakota State (S.D.) scored a combined 25 runs to produce a doubleheader sweep over Evangel (Mo.) 10-0 and 15-3.  The Trojans earned a four-game series victory for the second time this season.

DSU improved their overall record to 11-9.  EU, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, fell to 8-19 overall record.

Dakota State is scheduled to play a nine-inning game at Dakota Wesleyan Tuesday afternoon at Drake Field in Mitchell, S.D.  The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.

The Trojans is slated to play their home opener at Flynn Field next weekend, hosting Tabor (Kan.) of the KCAC conference.

Game 1 – Dakota State (S.D.) 10, Evangel (Mo.) 0 – FINAL

Dakota State grabbed the first lead of the game in the opening inning and never trailed.  Darcy Berry kicked off the game with a walk and swiped to second base.  Connor Raney reached safely on base caused by EU's defensive error, allowing Barry to score on the same play for 1-0 DSU lead.

The Trojans extended their lead to 2-0 in the top first frame as Cassidy Watt produced an RBI single to score Watt.

Hunter Vikemyr drilled a double with one out in the top third inning for DSU.  The Trojans made it 3-0 as Cameron DeMaria struck out swinging, but reached safely after a dropped third strike after the Valors committed a defensive error.  Daniel Leshner, courtesy pitcher's runner for Vikemyr, scored on the same play.

Vikemyr produced an RBI single to score Barry, who led off the top fifth inning with a double (DSU led 4-0).  Watt added an RBI single to score Lesher (runner for Vikemyr) for a 5-0 lead and advanced Raney, who hit a double, to third base.

Dakota State extended their lead to 6-0 as Dawson Portner hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Raney in the top fifth.

The Trojans plated four runs in the top sixth inning, capped by Brayden Byrum's 2-RBI single for a 10-0 lead.

Evangel left the runners full when the game ended, securing the victory for Dakota State.

DSU outhit EU 10-4 in the game.  The Valors committed four defensive errors compared to the Trojans one defensive error. 

Vikemyr collected three hits (two singles, double) and tallied two RBIs for Dakota State.  Watt added two hits and two RBIs.  Barry had a double, single, and scored three times.  Raney had two hits and two runs scored.  Byrum recorded a single and two RBIs.

Barry, Lesher, and Tyler Hoffman each swiped one base for DSU.

Heath Perry led the Valors with a triple.  Justin Cherrico, Clay Palen, and Shane Poe each added a single.

Vikemyr (W, 4-1) tossed a complete game victory for DSU.  He scattered four hits in seven innings and registered six strikeouts.

Brayden Epperhart (L, 0-1) took the defeat on the pitching mound for EU.  He pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed six runs (three unearned) on six hits.  Aaron Hayes, Gavin Nally, and Caden O'Bryan each pitched in relief.

Game 2 – Dakota State (S.D.) 15, Evangel (Mo.) 3 – FINAL

The Trojans used a fast start in the four-game series finale as they opened with a single by Barry, followed by Vikemyr's hit-by-pitch, and Raney's walk.  DeMaria smashed a grand slam to give DSU 4-0 lead.

DSU went through the top of the lineup for the second time in the first inning.  The Trojans extended their lead to 6-0 as Barry hit a 2-RBI single.

The Valors scored twice in the bottom half of the first inning, with a pair of ground out RBIs from Evan Baptiste and Palen (DSU led 6-2).

With bases loaded in the top second with Watt's single followed back-to-back walks from Camaron Haller and Aidan Perry, Seth Altwine drilled a 2-RBI double to score Haller and Leshner (catcher's courtesy runner for Watt) as DSU's lead grew to 8-2.

Cherrico hit an RBI single in the bottom third as Evangel trailed 8-3.

After Haller recorded a walk followed by Perry's double, the Trojans made it 9-3 as Altwine hit an RBI single to score Haller.

Dakota State poured in five runs in the top sixth inning, highlighted by Altwine's 2-RBI triple followed by Barry's 2-run home run for a 13-3 lead.  DeMaria added an RBI single for DSU's 14-3 lead, scoring Raney who hit a double.

Dylan Gillespie added an RBI single in the top seventh inning to balloon the Trojans' lead to 15-3.

The Valors left three runners on base when the game ended, securing the victory for DSU.

Dakota State outhit Evangel 18-7 in the game.

Altwine finished the game by going 4-of-5 at the plate (triple, double, two singles) with five RBIs for the Trojans.  Barry added three hits and drove in four runs.  Raney collected three hits.  DeMaria had two hits and tallied five RBIs.  Perry recorded a single and walked three times.  Haller had two hits, two walks, and scored four times. 

Cherrico and Palen each had a hit and an RBI for the Valors.  Kannon Perry added three hits.

Bryalon Bear started the game on the pitching mound for Dakota State.  He worked for three innings and gave up three runs on six hits and registered four strikeouts.  Alex Swack (W, 1-0) earned the victory, tossing three scoreless innings.  Treyten Kolar pitched a scoreless eventh inning in relief.

Weston Cline (L, 0-1) recorded the loss after working the first two outs for Evangel.  He allowed six runs on four hits.  Hardy Dougan, Wyatt Keplar, Jed Montgomery, and Caden O'Bryan also pitched in relief.