Dakota Wesleyan stifles Trojans, prevents late rally by DSU

MITCHELL, S.D. – In a single game affair, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team outlasted in-state rival Dakota State University by a score of 8-7 on Wednesday from Cadwell Park in Mitchell, S.D.

 It was Dakota State who struck first in the top half of the second inning as DSU scored three runs thanks to back-to-back singles. Though, not to be outdone, Dakota Wesleyan returned the favor with three runs on three hits in the bottom half of the second frame to even the score at 3-3. Caleb Crist (Yuba City, Calif.) and Kyler Halverson (Casper, Wyo.) advanced home on a two-out single by Seth Christiansen (Victor, Idaho) to notch the score.

 Layne Stafford (Arlington, Neb.), who got the start on the mound for DWU, retired the Trojans (9-10) in order in the top of the third inning. The Dakota Wesleyan bats responded in the bottom of the third frame with three more runs as Joseph Hanisch (Hartford, S.D.) started the rally with a triple roped down the right-field line and scored moments later. Kalub Carmichael (Howard, S.D.) poked in a pair of runs later in the frame off a single to center field and both Logan Davis (Omaha, Neb.) and Halverson scored to extend the Tiger (9-10) lead to 6-3.

 Despite a DSU run in the top half of the fourth frame, Dakota Wesleyan made it three-straight innings of runs scored with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hanisch, who finished 2-of-5 from the plate, doubled to center field and drove in Brad Dean (Pierre, S.D.). After a walk drawn by Halverson, Zack Satterwhite (Teague, Texas) answered with a double to right field which pushed the DWU lead to 8-4.

 Both teams were held in check over the next four frames and the score still read 8-4 at the end of the eighth inning. With runners on first and second for Dakota State in the top of the seventh inning, Cole Barthel (Tea, S.D.) entered the game for the Tigers on the mound. Faced with just four batters, the 6-foot senior struck out the final batter in the seventh inning and the Blue and Gray escaped the jam.

 However, confronted with just three outs remaining, the Trojans rallied back with three runs in the final inning thanks to a fielder's choice and a pair of singles. Troy Wilhelm (Rapid City, S.D.), who was called from the bullpen with one out in the frame, induced the final two outs and the Tigers preserved the 8-7 victory over their in-state rivals. Carter Gullickson (Dell Rapids, S.D.) executed a groundball at second base while Christiansen made a routine play at short stop to deny the DSU rally.

 At the plate, Christiansen paced Dakota Wesleyan with two hits and two RBIs as he went 2-of-5 on the night. Hanisch, who also tallied a pair of hits, added two runs scored while Carmichael chipped in two RBIs on one hit. On the bump, Stafford collected his second win of the season as he worked 6.2 innings and limited the Trojans to four runs on seven hits.

 Dakota Wesleyan faces conference foe Northwestern College at 5 p.m. tomorrow from Cadwell Park in Mitchell, S.D.