February 13, 2026

FAYETTE, Mo. – Dakota State (S.D.) dropped a closely tight 3-2 baseball decision to nationally-ranked Columbia (Mo.) on Friday afternoon at Estes Field, despite outhitting the Cougars 9-3.  The Trojans kicked off the first game in the Eagle Invitational, hosted by No. 25 ranked Central Methodist (Mo.).

Dakota State fell to 2-3 overall record.  Columbia, a member of the America Midwest Conference and ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll, improved to 3-3 overall.
  How it happened

Columbia struck first in the bottom of the opening inning when Zac Fruend launched a lead-off solo home run to right field for a 1-0 lead.

Dakota State threatened early and often, recording at least one hit in five of the seven innings, but left nine runners on base. The Trojans finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning.

Aidan Perry opened the frame with a single and Camaron Haller followed with a double down the left-field line to put runners at second and third. After Cameron DeMaria was intentionally walked to load the bases, Ryland Carroll delivered the big hit — a two-run double to center field — scoring Perry and Haller to give DSU a 2-1 advantage.

Columbia answered immediately in the bottom half of the fifth without recording a hit. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put runners aboard, Fruend drew a walk to load the bases. Dylan Carlton forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 2-2, and Tyler Renn followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to plate the eventual game-winning run, 3-2.

Dakota State was retired in order in the seventh inning as Columbia's Aiden Strickland closed the door to earn the save.
  Dakota State Offensive Leaders

• Aidan Perry: 2-for-3, 1 run
• Camaron Haller: 2-for-4, 1 run, double
• Ryland Carroll: 1-for-3, double, 2 RBI
• George Hogan: 1-for-4, double
• Connor Raney, Hunter Boer, Chris Vinson: 1 hit each

The Trojans finished with:

• 2 runs
• 9 hits
• 4 walks
• 9 runners left on base

Columbia Offensive Leaders

• Zac Fruend: 1-for-2, home run, RBI, 2 runs scored, walk
• Tyler Renn: 1-for-2, RBI, sacrifice fly
• Braden Hemmer: 1-for-3

Columbia scored 3 runs on just 3 hits and drew 4 walks. Pitching Summary

Dakota State

• Hayden Leighty (L, 0-1): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR
• Alex Ferrin: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO

The Trojans allowed only three hits but surrendered two fifth inning runs via walks and a sacrifice fly.

Columbia

• Eric Fields (W, 1-0): 6.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO
• Aiden Strickland (Sv, 1): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R

Fields worked out of multiple jams, stranding nine Dakota State runners over six innings. Up Next

Dakota State continues their action in the second game of the Eagle Invitational, taking on the host-team No. 25 ranked Central Methodist (Mo.) at 3 p.m.