March 9, 2026

BRANSON, Mo. – Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off the Stars & Stripes Spring Break Classic with their first doubleheader sweep of the season at Track & Field.  The Trojans rallied for a 7-5 victory in the opener before erupting offensively in the second game for an 11-3 win in five innings.

The sweep improved Dakota State to 4-8 overall, while Missouri Valley dropped to 0-12 on the season.
  Game 1 – Dakota State 7, Missouri Valley 5 – FINAL

Dakota State overcame an early deficit with a four-run fourth inning and held off a late Missouri Valley rally to take the opener 7-5.

Missouri Valley struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on Trojan miscues. Jesykah Foster scored caushed by a DSU's defensive error before Makayla Casjens drove in Aniah Castruita with an RBI single to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead.

Dakota State answered in the fourth inning. Gabrielle Ortega-Alves reached base and scored on an RBI double by Emmalynn Rabe. Moments later, Alexia Hayden blasted a three-run home run to right field, putting the Trojans ahead 4-2.

The Trojans added two more runs in the fifth inning when Quincy Hartley delivered a two-run single to extend the lead to 6-2. Dakota State tacked on another run in the sixth as Ortega-Alves singled home Katherine Kiser.

Missouri Valley attempted a late comeback. Jordan Pasbrig homered in the sixth inning, and the Vikings plated two runs in the seventh to close within 7-5. However, Trojan pitcher Grace Kitterman recorded the final out to secure the victory.

Kitterman earned the complete-game victory, allowing seven hits and five runs (three earned) with five strikeouts.

Game 1 Leaders

Dakota State

• Alexia Hayden: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBIs
• Gabrielle Ortega-Alves: 2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI, 2 SBs
• Emmalynn Rabe: 2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI, double
• Quincy Hartley: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs

Missouri Valley

• Jordan Pasbrig: 3-for-3, HR, RBI
• Aniah Castruita: 1-for-4, RBI
• Makayla Casjens: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs

Dakota State Pitching

• Grace Kitterman (W, 2-2) – 7.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Missouri Valley Pitching

• Chloe Shuff (L, 0-2) – 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 K
• Andreina Buonafina – 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 K

Game 2 – Dakota State 11, Missouri Valley 3 (5 innings)

Dakota State exploded offensively in the second game, scoring 11 runs in the first three innings to secure a run-rule victory.

The Trojans opened the scoring in the first inning when Hannah McFarland drove in Ortega-Alves with a sacrifice fly. Another run scored on a passed ball to give Dakota State a 2-0 lead.

Dakota State broke the game open in the second inning. McFarland walked with the bases loaded before Hayden cleared the bases with a three-run double to push the lead to 6-0.

The Trojans added five more runs in the third inning. RBI hits from Ortega-Alves and McFarland were followed by Hayden's RBI triple to make it 11-1.

Missouri Valley scored single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, but the Vikings could not overcome the early deficit as the game ended after five innings due to the run rule.

Maycee Bricker earned the win in the circle, limiting Missouri Valley to three hits while allowing three runs (one earned).

Game 2 Leaders

Dakota State

• Alexia Hayden: 2-for-2, 4 RBIs, double, triple
• Hannah McFarland: 1-for-1, 4 RBIs
• Gabrielle Ortega-Alves: 2-for-2, 3 runs, RBI
• Lara Dolezal: 1-for-2, run

Missouri Valley

• Jesykah Foster: 1-for-3, RBI
• Keira Carvalho: 1-for-1, run, double
• Makayla Casjens: 1-for-3

Dakota State Pitching

• Maycee Bricker (W, 2-2) – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB

Missouri Valley Pitching

• Sienna Saggiani (L, 0-6) – 2.0 IP, 6 R
• Andreina Buonafina – 0.2 IP, 5 R
• Gabriella Branson – 1.1 IP, 0 R

Up Next

Dakota State continues their action in the Stars & Stripes Spring Break Classic Tuesday versus Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) at 1 p.m. at Tanger Field and Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) at 3 p.m. at Track & Field.