April 18, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State and NAIA's nationally ranked Bellevue (Neb.) split a pair of North Star Athletic Association baseball pitcher's duel Friday afternoon at Flynn Field.  The Trojans handed the Bruins their first NSAA conference defeat in the four-game series opener 1-0, snapping BU's 17-game winning streak.  Bellevue answered with a 5-0 victory in the second game to earn a doubleheader split.

Dakota State is 21-19 overall record and 7-7 NSAA conference record.  Bellevue, ranked No. 24 in the latest NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, is 30-12 overall record and 13-1 record in the league. 

DSU earned their first win over NAIA's top 25 nationally ranked team this season.  It was the fourth time since 2021 that Dakota State defeated the nationally ranked team of Bellevue.

Dakota State wraps up their home schedule Saturday in another North Star's doubleheader with the Bruins.  The first game is set for 12 p.m.  Seniors will be honored at the conclusion of the four-game series finale.

Game 1 – Dakota State (S.D.) 1, (24) Bellevue (Neb.) 0 – FINAL

The first game of the four-game series saw a pitcher's duel between DSU's Nicholai Arbach and Paker McMan.

Scott Hansen led off the first game with a single for the Bruins.  After Steven Elsner's strikeout, the Trojans produced a double play defensively to end the top first inning.

Dawson Portner smashed a solo home run to left field with two outs, giving Dakota State a 1-0 lead in the bottom third inning.

Bellevue did not reach second base in the seven-inning game.  The Trojans produced their second double play defensively in the top sixth inning, holding on to a 1-0 lead.

Arbach shut down the Bruins in the final inning, recording two straight strikeouts followed by a ground out unassisted on first base to secure the victory.

The Trojans collected four hits in the game compared to the Bruins' two hits.

Portner led DSU with a home run, RBI, and a run.  Connor Raney, Cassidy Watt, and Seth Altwine each added a single.  The Trojans produced two double plays defensively by Aidan Perry, George Hogan, and Darcy Barry.

Hansen and Elijah Tanner each recorded a single for BU.

Arbach (W, 6-3) tossed a complete game victory for Dakota State.  He scattered two singles and recorded nine strikeouts.  He racked up 240 career strikeouts at DSU after the game.  Arbach pitched his fifth straight complete game.

McMan (L, 5-2) recorded the complete game defeat on the pitching mound for Bellevue.  He gave up one run on four hits and registered 11 strikeouts.

Game 2 – (24) Bellevue (Neb.) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL

Bellevue kicked off the second game of the four-game series (nine-inning game) with a run scored in each of their first three innings and never trailed.

Elsner hit a solo home run to left field with one out in the top first inning as BU took a 1-0 lead.

Ayden Makarus drilled a triple with two outs in the top second.  Nick Gravel reached safely on base after DSU's defensive error and scored Makarus to give BU a 2-0 lead.

Elsner blasted his second solo home run with one out in the top third inning as Bellevue's lead grew to 3-0.

The Trojans snapped their hitting drought with their first hit in the bottom sixth inning with a two-out single by Portner.  DSU was unable to score as BU maintained their 3-0 lead after six innings.

Bellevue produced two runs in the top seventh frame to extend their lead.  Makarus recorded a walk with one out.  Gravel followed up with a double to left center and advanced Makarus to third base.  CJ Townsend recorded a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt squeeze, while the Trojans' defense committed a fielding error to allow Makarus to score for a 4-0 lead.

Hansen followed up with an RBI double to score Gravel to make it 5-0 in favor of the Bruins in the top seventh.

Dakota State was unable to score the first run of the game in the bottom seventh inning.  Cameron DeMaria recorded a single with two outs.  Hunter Vikemyr followed up with a double down the right field line, advancing pinch runner Camaron Haller to third but was tagged out at home to end the inning.

The Trojans were unable to score in the final inning, securing victory for the Bruins.

BU outhit DSU 7-3 in the game. 

Vikemyr had a double for Dakota State.  DeMaria and Portner each added a single.  Hogan had a walk.

Elsner paced Bellevue with two home runs, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk.  Hansen added two doubles and an RBI.  Makarus collected a double, single, and two runs.  Gravel had a double.  Gravel collected an RBI.

Sam Tyrpa (L, 3-6) recorded the defeat on the pitching mound for DSU.  He allowed five runs (one unearned) on six hits.  He recorded six strikeouts, amassing the school's all-time strikeouts to 247 strikeouts.  Treyten Kolar tossed two shutout outs in the top seventh in relief.  Caleb Hoppe also pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

Jace Wessels (W, 4-0) earned a complete game victory for BU.  He scattered three hits and registered seven strikeouts.