March 14, 2026

McKENZIE, Tenn. – Dakota State (S.D.) earned another baseball doubleheader Saturday against Bethel (Tenn.), dropping the opener 5–4 before rallying to claim the nightcap 7–6. The four-game series concluded with a split held at Kahlden Complex. 

The Trojans moved to 7-14 overall on the season with the split.  The Wildcats are 6-14 overall record.
  Game 1: Bethel (Tenn.) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 4 – FINAL

Dakota State jumped out to an early lead but Bethel used a pair of late innings to rally for a one-run victory in the opener.

The Trojans struck first in the opening inning. Aidan Perry started the scoring with a solo home run before Dakota State added two more runs on RBI hits from Cameron DeMaria and George Hogan to build a 3–0 advantage.

Bethel responded in the third inning, capitalizing on a Dakota State error. Adriel Vega delivered a two-run single to tie the contest at 3–3.

Dakota State regained the lead in the fifth when Chris Vinson blasted a solo home run to make it 4–3, but Bethel answered immediately. Vega later stole home to tie the game before doubling home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to give Bethel a 5–4 lead.

Bethel's bullpen shut the door in the seventh inning to secure the win.

Game 1 Leaders

Dakota State

• Aidan Perry — 1-for-4, HR, RBI
• Chris Vinson — 1-for-3, HR, RBI
• George Hogan — 2-for-3, RBI
• Cameron DeMaria — 1-for-4, RBI

Bethel

• Adriel Vega — 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B
• Cade Pilkinton — 1-for-4, RBI

Game 1 Pitching

Dakota State

• Max Woll — 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 K
• Ryland Carroll (L, 2-3) — 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 K
• Brody Thompson — 0.1 IP

Bethel

• Alex Sterling (W, 2-2) — 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 K
• Klayton Wright (Sv, 3) — 1.0 IP

Dakota State finished with 9 hits, while Bethel totaled 7 hits in the opener.
  Game 2: Dakota State (S.D.) 7, Bethel (Tenn.) 6 – FINAL

The Trojans bounced back in the second game with a comeback victory highlighted by a big sixth inning.

Dakota State erupted early with four runs in the first inning. Connor Raney led off with a home run, and Cameron Kittridge followed later in the inning with a three-run homer to put the Trojans ahead 4–0.

Bethel answered quickly with a four-run bottom half of the inning and eventually built a 6–4 lead after runs in the second and fourth innings.

Dakota State responded in the sixth inning. Raney delivered a two-run single to tie the game before Camaron Haller followed with an RBI single to give the Trojans a 7–6 lead.

Dakota State's bullpen closed out the final two innings to secure the win and split the twin bill.

Game 2 Leaders

Dakota State

• Connor Raney — 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs
• Cameron Kittridge — 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
• Camaron Haller — 1-for-4, RBI
• Aiden Barfuss — 1-for-2, 2B

Bethel

• Cade Pilkinton — 3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs
• Galvin Sims — 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Adriel Vega — 1-for-3, RBI

Game 2 Pitching

Dakota State

• Braylon Bear — 1.0 IP, 5 ER
• Treyten Kolar — 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 K
• Collin Grimmel (W, 1-0) — 1.0 IP
• Brody Thompson (Sv, 1) — 2.0 IP, 4 K

Bethel

• Matthew Dirks — 1.0 IP, 4 ER
• Christian Wilkes — 4.0 IP, 2 ER
• Klayton Wright (L, 1-2) — 2.0 IP, 1 ER

Both teams recorded nine hits in the nightcap.

Up Next

Dakota State is scheduled for a home opener doubleheader with Midland (Neb.) on Tuesday afternoon; however, blizzard warning moved into the Midwest region Saturday late tonight through Monday most likely will force the postponement.

DSU will also be in action next weekend as they open their inaugural Frontier Conference baseball season at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D.  The Trojans play a round-robin format with North Dakota schools, starting next Saturday versus Bismarck State (N.D.) and Valley City State (N.D.).

Stay tuned to dsuahtletics.com for upcoming schedule and game times.