June 15, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State University head baseball coach
Derrion Hardie has announced the hiring of
Jake Vitale as the program's new hitting coach. Vitale will begin his duties on Monday, June 15.
Vitale joins the Trojan staff after serving as the hitting coach at Lackawanna College (Pa.), one of the top junior college baseball programs in the country. During the 2026 season, he coached six hitters who earned NJCAA Division II All-Region honors while helping lead an explosive offensive unit that posted a .917 OPS, 433 hits, 262 extra-base hits, and 113 stolen bases in 128 attempts.
"We are excited to welcome Jake to our staff," said Hardie. "The rubric I had for our next hitting coach consisted of a relationship builder, cage rat focused on individual development, someone who uses technology and data to help make informed decisions, but also knows how to help hitters outside of tech and data, develops competitive hitters, and teaches an approach and plan that aligns to our dynamic offensive identity. We found these things in Jake."
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Vitale has been actively involved in summer baseball, serving as the hitting coach for the Fulton Railroaders in the Ohio Valley League. In that role, he oversaw the team's hitters, managed lineups, led individual development plans, implemented the sign system, and coordinated game planning.
Vitale has also gained valuable experience working alongside professional hitting coach Trey Hannam as part of the American Baseball Camps staff, further sharpening his ability to develop hitters at all levels of the game.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Vitale played collegiately at NJCAA's Parkland College (Ill.) before continuing his career at NCAA Division II Quincy University (Ill.). He graduated from Quincy with a degree in communications.
"I am tremendously excited to join the coaching staff at Dakota State University," said Vitale. "The support the entire athletic department has seen from the backing of the school and donors is incredible. DSU is truly building one of the premier athletic complexes in the nation.
"The baseball program that Coach Hardie has built is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and commitment to not just making baseball players, but men," added Vitale. "I am thrilled to join the coaching staff in their pursuit of making Dakota State baseball a name that is recognized and undeniable in the NAIA. Go Trojans!"
Vitale's addition reinforces Dakota State's commitment to developing complete hitters and building a dynamic offensive identity that will be key to annually competing for a conference championship and earning a bid to the NAIA National Tournament. He also aligns with the program's "Finish Empty" cultural blueprint, emphasizing daily growth, accountability, and maximizing player development.
Vitale will also assist extensively in recruiting and offensive player evaluation.
