February 18, 2026

LINCOLN, Neb. – Dakota State (S.D.) baseball split a non-conference mid-week doubleheader with Midland (Neb.) on Wednesday at Sandhills Athletic Complex.  The Trojans dropped the opener 9-2 before rebounding with an 8-4 victory in the nightcap.

The split moved DSU to 4-6 overall record on the season after the two contests.  The Warriors are 2-8 overall record.

The second doubleheader between Dakota State and Midland, originally scheduled to be played at Flynn Field, will be announced at a later date after cold weather conditions in this weekend's forecast prompted the postponement.
  Game 1 — Midland (Neb.) 9, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 - FINAL

Midland used a fast start and a five-run second inning to take control early and never looked back, handing Dakota State a 9-2 loss in the opener.

The Warriors struck first in the bottom of the opening frame, plating three runs on a bases-clearing double by Adam Muniz Jr.  Midland then exploded for five more runs in the second inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Cooper Benecke to build an 8-0 advantage.

Dakota State answered in the third inning when Aidan Perry singled and later scored on an RBI single by Cameron DeMaria. The Trojans added another run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Perry, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

Game 1 Individual Leaders — Dakota State

• Camaron Haller: 3-for-4 at the plate
• Chris Vinson: 2-for-3
• Aidan Perry: RBI, run scored
• Cameron DeMaria: RBI single

Game 1 Pitching

• Treyten Kolar (L, 1-2): 2.0 IP, 4 H, 8 R, 5 BB
• Ian Beer: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 SO in relief

Midland finished with eight hits, including Benecke's grand slam and seven combined RBI from Benecke and Muniz Jr.

Dakota State outhit Midland 9-8 but stranded eight runners and did not draw a walk in the contest.
  Game 2 — Dakota State (S.D.) 8, Midland (Neb.) 4 – FINAL

The Trojans responded in the second game with timely hitting and two home runs to secure an 8-4 victory.

Midland grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Dakota State tied the game in the second when Aidan Marsh launched a solo home run to right field. After Midland regained a 2-1 edge in the third on a solo shot by Benecke, the Trojans erupted in the fifth inning.

Haller drove in the tying run after reaching on an error, setting the stage for DeMaria, who blasted a three-run homer to left field to put Dakota State ahead 5-2. Midland answered with two runs in the bottom half, but Dakota State added insurance in the seventh inning on a two-run double by Haller and an RBI single from George Hogan.

Game 2 Individual Leaders — Dakota State

• Camaron Haller: 1-for-2, 3 RBI, 2 walks, two-run double
• Cameron DeMaria: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
• Aidan Perry: 2-for-4, 2 runs, double
• Aidan Marsh: Solo home run
• George Hogan: RBI single
• Cameron Kittridge: Run scored, key seventh inning hit

Game 2 Pitching

• Ryland Carroll (W, 2-1): 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 ER), 6 SO
• Austin Armstrong (SV, 3): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 SO

Armstrong closed the door by retiring Midland in order in the bottom of the seventh inning to seal the win.

Dakota State capitalized on Midland's defensive miscues, scoring four runs in the decisive fifth inning and adding three more late to secure the split. Doubleheader Notes

• Dakota State totaled 10 runs and 16 hits across the two games.
• Cameron DeMaria: 2 RBI in Game 1 and 3 RBI in Game 2.
• Camaron Haller: reached base multiple times in both games and drove in three runs in the nightcap.
• The Trojans recorded two home runs in Game 2 (Marsh and DeMaria).

Up Next
Dakota State is off until next weekend as they continue their action on the road.  The Trojans visit Sterling (Kan.) in a three-game series, starting with a pair of seven-inning games on Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. and a nine-inning game on Feb. 28 at 12 p.m. in Sterling, Kan.