MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan University Baseball kicked off its 2026 campaign at Drake Field against the Valley City State Vikings, slotted for four seven-inning contests between Saturday and Sunday.
Both teams found themselves locked in a defensive battle to begin the series. After six consecutive outs in the first inning, Mason Riley would break through with a single through the left side, but the Tigers were unable to get runners through to get on the board. DWU was able to hold steady on defense thanks to a stellar performance from starting pitcher Alexander Mizsak, who went a full seven innings, recorded three strikeouts in the process, and posted a 0.00 ERA in his appearance. Riley, Dexter Payne, and Joseph Tharaldson each contributed two hits individually throughout the first game, but none were able to drive in any runs. It continued at a 0-0 scoreline with multiple close calls from both sides, but the first game ultimately went into extra innings as both squads looked for their first score and win of the season. The Tigers called upon Brayden Cherrey from the bullpen to carry them through the remainder of the contest, and he absolutely delivered, recording nine strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched to keep the Vikings scoreless through 12. The offense of Dakota Wesleyan was able to respond and support the pitching effort as pinch hitter Shane Cowan recorded a double to send home pinch runner Easton Millar, walking off the contest thrillingly, 1-0. Cherrey would be credited with the win on the mound.
The second contest had a near-opposite pace of the first, as the Vikings were able to open the game with an RBI single, but the Tigers' offense was equally prepared, as a deep hit to center field from Tharaldson would send Riley and Caleb Meyers to home plate, giving DWU a 2-1 lead after one frame. The Tigers were able to add to their lead in the bottom of the third as Lane Darrow was able to capitalize on a passed ball from the opposition, pushing the score out to 3-1. The game would slow down from there, with Payne putting in six innings of work on the mound as the starter, recording seven strikeouts in the process. Nathaniel Huisken closed out the seventh inning, and while VCSU was able to put up one more run, the senior pitcher out of Frederick, Colorado, was able to put the contest away, 3-2. The Tigers would begin the season undefeated after Saturday's contests.
Sunday offered two more games between VCSU and DWU, but this time, the day favored the Vikings. VCSU would win the first contest of the day 1-0, but without extra innings, as the lone run came in the top of the sixth after a home run to left field. Riley was able to record a hit, but the offense was not able to find a response before the end of the game. On the mound, Broc Berry was able to fend off the Vikings in 5.1 innings with eight recorded strikeouts, but the lone run was enough to give him the loss on the mound. Lucas Koepsell recorded two strikeouts in 1.2 innings of relief, giving up no additional runs, but the Tigers were not able to add any offense to the board. The final contest of the series saw both offenses pick up the pace, with the Tigers matching the Vikings scoring effort through the first three innings of play thanks to quick reactions from Landon Ruesink and Jackson Jarding, who capitalized on an error by the VCSU firstbaseman to reach home, alongside a home run from Riley in the third to make the score 3-3. C. Meyers was able to get five strikeouts in five innings pitched, but the hit total for VCSU was able to push them over the edge in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Dakota Munger was able to get through the sixth with two strikeouts, and Huisken once again would close out the game, but a final offensive flurry from the Vikings in the top of the seventh put the final score at 6-3. The Tigers start the baseball season 2-2.
DWU Baseball will be back in action on Saturday, February 14th. See the full 2026 schedule here.