Southwest Minnesota State
Southwest Minnesota State
Southwest Minnesota State
Southwest Minnesota State
Dakota Wesleyan
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Dakota Wesleyan Baseball team took its annual spring break to Tucson and played a five-game slate over the course of five days. Four of the games were against NCAA Division II opponent Southwest Minnesota State, with the lone other game being played against Carthage.
The Tigers' first game took place on March 5th against SMSU. The Tigers trailed SMSU 1-0 heading into the sixth inning, before Dexter Payne tied the game with an RBI double. The Tigers would go on to score three more runs in the sixth inning, leading 4-1. Alex Mizsak was terrific on the mound for the Tigers. He recorded 7.2 innings pitched, 10 strikeouts, and four runs, with zero of those runs being earned. Holding a 4-1 lead, the Tigers would give up three unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, only to answer back with three more runs in the top of the ninth. SMSU would go on to start a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth and walk it off on the Tigers, 8-7. Lane Darrow and Kelbee Woodham each finished with two hits and an RBI. Payne, Caleb Meyers, Carter Brown, and Joseph Tharaldson each had hits in the ballgame. Brayden Cherrey was tagged with the loss in relief.
The Tigers would be back at it again versus SMSU. SMSU took the game over early and won by a score of 14-2. Dakota Munger drew the start on the hill, lasting two innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. Colton Thomas would come in for some extended relief, pitching four innings, giving up five runs (four earned), while striking out four batters. Emmot Nathan would pitch the last inning for the Tigers, surrendering three runs in his inning of work. Mason Riley provided a spark in the lineup, collecting two hits, one of which was a two-run home run to left field. C. Meyers, Payne, and Tharaldson each had hits in the game.
Playing SMSU for the third time in three days, the Tigers weren't able to keep up with SMSU, falling 13-1. Broc Berry started the game for the Tigers. He lasted 5.2 innings and gave up seven runs (six earned) on five hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts. He was tagged with the loss. Offensively, the Tigers were led by Riley. He recorded two hits and the lone RBI. C. Meyers and Darrow each doubled in the game. Tharaldson had the other hit for the Tigers.
Day four would bring a new opponent for the Tigers. They took on Carthage and would ultimately fall in a 3-0 defensive battle. Payne got the call on the mound. He kept the Tigers in the game, recording two earned runs and five strikeouts in his quality 7.0 innings. Cherrey would relieve Payne in the eighth inning, tossing two shutout innings. Despite the well-pitched ballgame, the Tiger offense struggled at the plate and failed to push any runs across. Payne had two hits for the Tigers, while Jackson Jarding and Talan Ball each had a hit as well.
The Tigers would finish up the Tucson trip by playing SMSU one more time. The Tigers fell to SMSU 17-0 to finish the Tucson Invitational. C. Meyers got the start and lasted two innings, giving up 10 runs (three earned), on five hits, four walks, and three strikeouts. The Tigers would be forced to dig deep into the bullpen, going to a plethora of options. Cherrey, Carter Gephart, Nathaniel Huisken, Tommy Dutton, and Nathan would all see action out of the bullpen. Jarding would record the lone hit for the Tigers.
DWU Baseball will be back in action on the road against the Morningside Mustangs (in Orange City, not Sioux City) on Thursday, March 12th, starting at 1:00 PM. See the full 2025-26 schedule here.