May 3, 2025

DICKINSON, N.D. – No. 5 seed Dakota State (S.D.) pounded out 21 hits and scored in six of seven innings to stay alive in the North Star Athletic Association Baseball Tournament with a 16-6 victory over No. 7 seed Mayville State (N.D.) in the loser's bracket Saturday at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark.  DSU ended the game in a seven-inning 10-run mercy rule, earning their second straight loser's out victory in the conference postseason tournament, hosted by Dickinson State (N.D.).

Every Dakota State starting hitter recorded at least a hit in the game, tallying a total of 10 extra bases hits (2 home runs, 2 triples, and 6 doubles).

The Trojans (27-23 overall) struck early and often, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and adding 11 more runs over the next five frames to put the game out of reach. All nine starters reached base safely, with eight recording at least one hit.

Dakota State's offense was led by Aidan Perry, Cassidy Watt and Connor Raney, who combined 10 of the team's 21 hits. Perry drove in three runs and finished 3-for-5 with a double. Watt also collected three hits and three RBIs, highlighted by a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Raney went 4-for-5, scored a run, and drove in another.

The Trojans wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Darcy Barry led off the first inning with a triple to center field, and Perry followed with a sacrifice fly. Hunter Vikemyr singled and later scored on a Camaron Haller base hit, and Cory Brownson doubled home two more to cap a four-run frame.

DSU added another run in the second on Perry's RBI single and broke the game open with a six-run third inning. The Trojans sent 12 batters to the plate in the third, collecting six hits and taking advantage of two errors, a wild pitch and a passed ball. Dawson Portner, Barry, Perry, Watt, Haller, and Ben Loos each drove in runs during the rally.

Brayden Byrum added to the offensive fireworks with a solo home run in the fifth, and Raney doubled in another run to extend the lead to 13-0.

Mayville State (15-32 overall record) broke up the shutout in the sixth, scoring four runs on five hits. Jack McQueen had a two-run single, Avery Kirkup added an RBI single, and Ethan Tingey delivered a two-run single off the bench. The Comets added a final run in the seventh on a Cameron Goff double.

Dakota State answered with two more in the bottom of the sixth, as Watt's two-run shot to left field brought the lead to 15-4.

Loos opened the seventh with a walk and eventually came around to score on Perry's RBI double to end the game.

Vikemyr (W, 7-5) earned the win on the mound for Dakota State, allowing three runs on three hits over 5.2 innings with five strikeouts. Keaton Young and Hayden Leighty combined to finish the game in relief.

Mayville State used four pitchers, with starter Calvin Watkins (L, 2-7) taking the loss after giving up six runs on nine hits over two innings. The Comets committed three errors and used 19 position players in total.

Dakota State continues their action in the North Star Athletic Association Baseball Postseason Tournament with another elimination game Sunday at 1 p.m. (Central Time)/12 p.m. (Mountain Time).  The Trojans await the winner of two Cal Pac conference teams between No. 6 seed La Sierra (Calif.) and No. 3 seed Simpson (Calif.), which is scheduled to play Saturday evening at 9:45 p.m. (CT)/8:45 p.m. (MT).