March 30, 2026

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) erased an early four-run deficit and completed a dramatic comeback Monday evening, defeating rival Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 7-6 in 10 innings in a non-conference baseball action at Drake Field.  The Trojans rallied from a 5-1 hole after the first inning and ultimately pushed across two runs in the top of the 10^th before holding off a late Tiger charge to secure the extra-inning victory.

Dakota State improved to 12-18 overall record, extending their winning streak to seven games in the series meeting with DWU.  The Tigers fell below .500 with an overall record of 14-15.

Both teams will play another nine-inning game at Flynn Field, scheduled for April 14 in Madison, S.D.
  How it happened

Dakota State struck first in the opening inning on an RBI single by Aiden Barfuss, but Dakota Wesleyan responded with a five-run bottom half, highlighted by RBI hits from Mason Riley, Dexter Payne, Joseph Tharaldson, and a two-run double from Landon Ruesink to take a 5-1 lead.

The Trojans chipped away over the middle innings:

• 3rd inning: Cameron Kittridge RBI single and Hunter Den Boer RBI groundout
• 4th inning: George Hogan RBI double to cut the deficit to 5-4

Dakota State tied the game in the ninth inning when Den Boer scored on a passed ball, forcing extra innings.

In the top 10^th inning, Dakota State capitalized on patience at the plate. Kittridge drew a bases-loaded walk for the go-ahead run, and Barfuss added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-5.

Dakota Wesleyan plated one run in the bottom half, but DSU's Brody Thompson (S, 2) closed the door to secure the win.

The Trojans highlighted Kellan Johns' (W, 1-0) nine innings in relief, limiting the Tigers to one run on four hits.  He recorded nine strikeouts on the pitching mound.
  Individual Leaders

Dakota State

• Connor Raney: 3-for-6, run, stolen base
• George Hogan: 2-for-6, double, RBI
• Cameron DeMaria: 2-for-2, 4 walks
• Cameron Kittridge: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 walks (including game-winning RBI)
• Aiden Barfuss: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, sacrifice fly
• Hunter Den Boer: 1-for-6, RBI, game-tying run

Dakota State drew 12 walks and left 15 runners on base. Dakota Wesleyan

• Caleb Meyers: 2-for-5, triple, double, RBI
• Mason Riley: 1-for-5, RBI
• Dexter Payne: 1-for-5, double, RBI
• Joseph Tharaldson: 1-for-4, RBI
• Landon Ruesink: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, double

Pitching Summary

Dakota State

• Caleb Hoppe: 1/3 inning, 5 runs
• Kellan Johns (W, 1-0): 9.0 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts
• Brody Thompson (Sv, 2):  2/3 innings, 0 runs

Dakota Wesleyan

• Colton Thomas: 4.0 innings, 4 runs (3 earned runs), 5 walks
• Broc Berry (L, 1-6): 6.0 innings, 3 earned runs, 7 walks

By the Numbers

• Runs: Dakota State 7, Dakota Wesleyan 6
• Hits: Dakota State 10, Dakota Wesleyan 8
• Errors: Dakota State 0, Dakota Wesleyan 2
• LOB: Dakota State 15, Dakota Wesleyan 4

Up Next

Dakota State returns to Frontier Conference action on Friday and Saturday at Valley City State (N.D.).  Stay tuned to dsuathletics.com for potential schedule change due to poor weather forecast for this coming week.