February 28, 2026

STERLING, Kan. – Dakota State (S.D.) battled back multiple times and briefly grabbed a late lead in extra innings, but Sterling scored twice in the bottom of the 10^th inning to escape with an 11-10 win over the Trojans Saturday afternoon at Sterling Baseball Complex.  The Warriors completed their 3-game series over DSU.

The game featured 23 combined hits, three lead changes and a dramatic finish after DSU erased early and middle-inning deficits before falling in walk-off fashion.

Dakota State moved to 4-9 overall record, while Sterling improved to 8-11 overall record.
  How it happened

Dakota State struck first in the opening inning when Cameron DeMaria lifted a RBI sacrifice fly to score Connor Raney, giving the Trojans a 1-0 lead.

Sterling answered immediately with a four-run bottom half, capitalizing on four walks and key RBI hits from Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas and Landen Volner to jump ahead 4-1.

The Trojans began chipping away in the third when Chris Vinson blasted a solo home run to center field, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Dakota State surged ahead in the fourth inning. After an RBI single by Cameron Kittridge, Vinson delivered the biggest swing of the day — a three-RBI double to right center that gave DSU a 6-4 advantage.

Sterling responded with its own offensive explosion in the bottom of the inning, scoring five runs on four hits, including a two-run double from Ezavien Campos, to reclaim a 9-6 lead.

DSU continued to fight back. Aiden Barfuss drove in two runs in the fifth, and a RBI sacrifice fly by Aidan Perry in the sixth tied the game at 9-9.

Both Dakota State's and Sterling's pitching staff settled in during the late innings as the game moved into extras. In the 10th, Raney walked and stole second before DeMaria delivered an RBI single to push Dakota State in front 10-9.

Sterling answered in the bottom half. An error in right field allowed the tying run to score, and Imanol Ramos followed with a walk-off RBI single to seal the 11-10 victory.
  Dakota State Offensive Leaders

• Chris Vinson: 2-for-4, HR, double, 4 RBIs, 2 runs scored
• Connor Raney: 2-for-5, 2 runs, walk, stolen base
• Cameron DeMaria: 2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs, walk
• Aiden Barfuss: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs
• Cameron Kittridge: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 runs scored

Dakota State finished with 10 runs on 12 hits and left 10 runners on base. Sterling Offensive Leaders

• Ezavien Campos: 1-for-6, double, 4 RBIs
• Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas: 2-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs
• Imanol Ramos: 3-for-5, double, game-winning RBI
• Landen Volner: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs

Sterling scored 11 runs on 11 hits and drew eight walks. Pitching Summary

Dakota State

• Ryland Carroll: 1.0 IP, 4 ER
• Alex Ferrin: 2.2 IP, 5 ER
• Kellan Johns: 0.1 IP, scoreless relief
• Austin Armstrong (L, 0-1): 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 strikeouts

Sterling

• Six pitchers combined for the win, with Jordan Ramsey (W, 1-0) earning the decision after recording the final two outs in the 10^th inning.

Team Statistics

Category	Dakota State	Sterling
Runs	10	11
Hits	12	11
Errors	1	2
Walks	5	8
Strikeouts (batting)	8	11
Extra-base hits	3	4

Up Next

Dakota State looks to halt their losing skid as they continue their action on the road.  The Trojans play a four-game series at Mount Mercy (Iowa).  The doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. next Saturday.