March 28, 2026

BISMARCK, N.D. – Bismarck State (N.D.) held off Dakota State's (S.D.) late comeback in the Frontier Conference's baseball four-game series opener at Haaland Field, winning the first game by the score of 9-7 in a seven-inning game.  The Trojans answered with 12 runs in the first three innings to earn a 17-9 in a nine-inning game.

Dakota State is 11-16 overall record and 4-2 record in the league.  Bismarck State is 14-12 overall record and 2-4 Frontier Conference record.
  Game 1 (7-inning game): Bismarck State 9, Dakota State 7 - FINAL

Dakota State mounted a late push but couldn't overcome two big innings by Bismarck State, falling 9-7 in the opener.

The Trojans struck first in the second inning when Cameron DeMaria doubled and later scored on an error. Dakota State added another run in the third on Chris Vinson's solo home run to trim the deficit to 4-2.
Bismarck State answered with a decisive fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Karsen Haney that extended the lead to 9-2.

Dakota State rallied late, scoring four runs in the sixth inning behind timely hitting and walks, and added another run on Connor Raney's solo home run in the fifth. However, the Trojans left runners on base and couldn't complete the comeback.

Dakota State

• Connor Raney: 1-for-4, 2 runs, home run, 2 RBIs
• Chris Vinson: 1-for-3, home run, 2 RBIs
• Cameron DeMaria: 1-for-2, double, run, HBP
• Hunter Den Boer: 1-for-3, run, walk

Bismarck State

• Pacey Phillips: 1-for-1, 3 walks
• Kaeden Wilcox: 2-for-4, home run, 4 RBIs
• Karsen Haney: 2-for-3, home run, 3 RBIs
• Cole Shirley: double

Game 1 Statistics

• Dakota State: 7 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors
• Bismarck State: 9 runs, 9 hits, 1 error

Pitching (DSU)

• Ryland Carroll (L, 2-5): 3 2/3 innings, 9 hits, 9 earned runs  
• Kellan Johns: 1/3 inning, 1 strikeout
• Cole Drumheller: 2.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 earned runs, 2 strikeouts

Pitching (BSC)

• Eli Thompson (W, 2-2): 4 1/3 innings, 3 earned runs, 4 strikeouts
• Isaac Mitchell: 2/3 innings, 3 earned runs
• River Walters: 2.0 innings, 1 earned run, 3 strikeouts

Game 2 (9-inning game): Dakota State 17, Bismarck State 9 – FINAL

Dakota State exploded offensively in the second game, pounding out 16 hits and scoring 17 runs to earn a split of the doubleheader.

After trading runs early, the Trojans broke the game open with an eight-run third inning. The frame was capped by a grand slam from DeMaria, giving DSU a commanding 12-2 lead.

Dakota State continued to pile on with four more runs in the fifth inning, extending the advantage to 16-4.

Bismarck State attempted to chip away, but Dakota State's bullpen shut the door, including a strong closing effort from Kellan Johns, who struck out five batters over the final 2 2/3 innings.

Game 2 Key Performers

• Cameron DeMaria: 3-for-5, home run, 7 RBIs (season-high)
• Connor Raney: 3-for-5, 4 runs, RBI
• George Hogan: 3-for-5, 2 RBIs
• Hunter Den Boer: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs
• Camaron Haller: 2-for-4, 3 runs

Game 2 Statistics

• Dakota State: 17 runs, 16 hits, 2 errors
• Bismarck State: 9 runs, 12 hits, 1 error

Pitching (DSU)

• Austin Armstrong: 4 2/3 innings, 6 earned runs, 9 strikeouts
• Ian Beer (W, 1-0): 1 2/3 innings, 3 earned runs
• Kellan Johns: 2 2/3 innings, 0 ER, 5 strikeouts

Pitching (BSC)

• Alex Panitzke (L, 1-4): 2 1/3 innings, 7 earned runs
• Kayden Camacho: 1 2/3 innings, 8 earned runs
• Mason Oster: 2.0 innings, 0 earned runs
• Kylan DePoorter: 3.0 innings, 1 earned run

Up Next

Dakota State and Bismarck State play another Frontier Conference doubleheader Sunday at 12 p.m.