April 19, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) closed their 2025 home schedule Saturday in the North Star Athletic Association baseball doubleheader with NAIA's nationally ranked Bellevue (Neb.).  The Bruins swept the doubleheader at Flynn Field by the scores of 12-2 and 9-5, clinching the four-game series victory.

Dakota State is 21-21 overall record and 7-9 NSAA conference record.  Bellevue, ranked No. 24 in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, lifted their overall record to 32-12 and moved closer to clinching the NSAA regular season title (currently with 15-1 league record).

The DSU baseball teams honored their 14 seniors after the conclusion of the four-game series.  The seniors are Seth Altwine, Michael Buchmann, Ben Loos, Cassidy Watt, Dylan Gillespie, Hunter Vikemyr, Cory Brownson, Curtis Flint, Darcy Barry, Aiden Urbom, Dawson Portner, Sam Tyrpa, Nicholai Arbach, and Alex Swack.

Dakota State heads to the final regular season contests next weekend, visiting Mayville State (N.D.) in the NSAA four-game series at Scott Berry Field in Mayville, N.D.  The doubleheader kicks off Friday at 1 p.m., followed by another doubleheader next Saturday at 12 p.m.

Game 1 – (24) Bellevue (Neb.) 12, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL

Bellevue used their fast start in the third game of the four-game series (seven-inning game), jumping to a 11-2 lead after four innings and never trailed.

Steven Elsner blasted a solo home run with one out in the top first inning to give BU a 1-0 lead.

With bases loaded in the top second inning, Elsner recorded an RBI walk followed by Logan Grant's grand slam as Bellevue's lead grew to 6-0.

DSU's Hunter Vikemyr led off the bottom second with a walk.  George Hogan drilled a double and advanced Tyler Hoffman, courtesy runner for Vikemyr, to third base.  Seth Altwine recorded an RBI fielder's choice to score Hoffman as the Trojans trailed 6-1.

Bellevue made it 7-1 in the top third inning after Nick Gravel's lead-off home run.  The Bruins added a run as Jake Lacey hit an RBI single to score CJ Townsend for an 8-1 BU lead.

The Bruins made it 11-1 in the top fourth inning after a pair of home runs.  Ayden Makarus hit a lead-off home run to make it 9-1, while Elsner hit his second home run of the game after hitting a 2-run home run.

Dakota State scored once in the bottom half of the fourth inning.  Vikemyr led off with a double.  He advanced to third base after Hogan's single.  Altwine recorded an RBI ground out to score Vikemyr as the Trojans trimmed the Bruins' lead to 11-2.

Bellevue scored a run to make it 12-2 in the top sixth inning.

Hogan had a double and single for Dakota State.  Altwine collected two RBIs.  Vikemyr had a double and a walk.  Camaron Haller and Connor Raney each registered a single.  Raney swiped one base.

Elsner and Grant each had two hits and drove in four runs for Bellevue.  Scott Hansen, Elijah Tanner, and Gravel each added two hits.  Lacey, Makarus and Gravel each collected an RBI.

Vikemyr (L, 5-5) took the defeat on the pitching mound for DSU.  He tossed 2 2/3 innings and allowed eight runs (one unearned) on nine hits.  He registered four strikeouts.  Hayden Leighty, Flint, and Alexander Ferrin each pitched in relief.

Kenji Miller (W, 7-0) pitched a complete game victory for BU.  He gave up two runs on five hits and recorded 10 strikeouts.

Game 2 – (24) Bellevue (Neb.) 9, Dakota State (S.D.) 5 – FINAL

Bellevue pulled away by scoring seven straight runs from the sixth through eighth innings to break a 2-2 tie, pulling away for a 9-5 four-game series finale victory.

The Bruins took the first lead in the top second frame.  Makarus recorded a walk and advanced to third base after Balas Buckmaster's single.  Gravel recorded an RBI bunt single to score Makarus for 1-0 BU lead.

Bellevue extended their lead to 2-0 as Buckmaster hit a solo home run with two outs in the top fourth inning.

Cassidy Watt blasted a lead-off solo home run in the bottom fourth inning as Dakota State trailed 2-1.

The Trojans tied the game 2-2 in the bottom fifth inning as Dawson Portner smashed a solo home run with one out.

Bellevue regained their lead at 3-2 in the top sixth as Makarus hit a solo home run with one out.

The Bruins produced three runs in the top seventh inning to widen their lead to 6-2 after Lacey's 2-RBI single and scored on a defensive error by the Trojans.

Elsner hit a 3-run home run in the top eighth frame as Bellevue's lead grew to 9-2.

DSU snapped their scoring drought as Haller hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom eighth, trailing 9-3.

The Trojans scored two runs in the bottom ninth.  Raney led off with a walk, followed by a 2-run home run blast by Darcy Barry (DSU trailed 9-5).  DSU was unable to make a comeback as BU secured the victory.

The Bruins tallied 13 hits in the game compared to the Trojans nine hits. 

Watt and Portner each had a home run, single, and an RBI for Dakota State.  Barry had a home run and drove in two runs.  Haller had a home run and an RBI.  Aidan Perry and Vikemyr each registered a hit.  Raney had a hit and a walk.

Buckmaster and Grave each had two hits and an RBI for Bellevue.  Makarus added a home run, RBI, and two walks.  Lacey collected two hits and two RBIs.  Grant recorded three hits.  Elsner had a home run and drove in three runs.

Alex Swack (L, 2-1) recorded the defeat after tossing six innings for DSU.  He allowed three runs on seven hits.  Braylon Bear tossed 1 1/3 innings in relief.  Aiden Urbom pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

Gavin Wuschke (W, 7-2) earned the victory for BU.  He tossed six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits.  He had eight strikeouts.  Brady Toth worked for two-plus innings, allowing three runs on two hits.  Brayden Andersen tossed a shutout inning in relief.