April 14, 2026

MADISON, S.D. – NAIA's nationally ranked No. 3 Bellevue (Neb.) erupted early and never looked back, defeating Dakota State 25-10 in a high-scoring Frontier Conference baseball matchup Tuesday afternoon at Flynn Field.  It was the first game of the five-game series, which will continue Friday and Saturday in Bellevue, Neb.

The Trojans fell to 16-22-1 overall record and 8-8-1 record in the league.  Bellevue, who won their 24^th straight game, raised their overall record to 36-3 and remained undefeated in the conference play with a 16-0 record.
  (3) Bellevue (Neb.) 25, Dakota State (S.D.) 10 – FINAL/8 innings

Bellevue plated 12 runs over the first three innings and finished with 25 runs on 19 hits to overpower the Trojans.

Bellevue wasted no time setting the tone in the opening inning. Xavier Lerma delivered the biggest early blow with a grand slam to right-center field, scoring four runs and giving the Bruins a 4-0 lead.

The Bruins added two more in the second inning on a Carter Claerhout's 2-run home run before breaking the game open in the third. Bellevue scored six runs in the frame, highlighted by RBI hits from Anthony Lind, Jaylan Ruffin, Nick Gravel, and Oak Held, along with a two-run double from Claerhout to make it 12-0.
Claerhout struck again in the fifth inning with his second home run of the game, extending the lead to 13-0.

Dakota State finally got on board in the sixth inning. Camaron Haller drove in the Trojans' first run with an RBI single before Cameron DeMaria blasted a three-run home run to left-center, trimming the deficit to 13-4.

The Trojans continued to battle in the seventh, scoring five runs on six hits and capitalizing on Bellevue errors. Aidan Perry, Connor Raney, and Cameron Kittridge each drove in runs during the rally as DSU closed within 17-9.

However, Bellevue answered in the top eighth inning with eight runs. Claerhout delivered another two-run double, while Lerma added a two-run double and the Bruins stretched their lead to 25-9.

Dakota State added one final run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double by Perry to close the score at 25-10.
  Team Statistics

• Bellevue: 25 runs, 19 hits, 2 errors
• Dakota State: 10 runs, 12 hits, 5 errors

Dakota State Individual Leaders

Offense

• Aidan Perry: 3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, double
• Cameron DeMaria: 2-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, home run
• Camaron Haller: 2-for-5, RBI
• Connor Raney: 1-for-5, 2 runs, RBI
• Hunter Den Boer: double

Pitching

• Conner Eich (L, 0-1): 1 inning, 2 strikeouts
• Treyten Kolar: 1 1/3 innings, 2 strikeouts
• Max Woll, Jack Sorenson, Ian Beer, Alex Ferrin, Caleb Hoppe, and Cole Drumheller also pitched in relief

Bellevue Individual Leaders

Offense

• Carter Claerhout: 4-for-5, 4 runs, 7 RBI, 2 HR, 2B
• Xavier Lerma: 4-for-6, 2 runs, 7 RBI, HR, 2B
• Nick Gravel: 3-for-7, 3 runs, RBI
• Anthony Lind: 3-for-6, 2 RBI
• Jaylan Ruffin: 2 hits, 4 runs

Pitching

• Cannon Close (W. 3-1): 5 1/3 innings, 4 earned runs, 4 strikeouts
• Brady Baltus: 1 1/3 innings, 5 runs (3 earned runs)
• Alexandre Dionne: 1 1/3 innings, 1 earned run

Up Next

Dakota State continues their action in their series with Bellevue, heading to Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex in Bellevue, Neb.  They will play in a 4-game series, starting Friday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader.  Both teams play another doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m.