MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Baseball hosted the Dordt Defenders from Friday, April 10th, through April 11th, as a part of the team's Alumni Weekend at the ballpark.
The first GPAC doubleheader on Friday saw the Tigers jump out to a quick lead after two innings, as an opening home run from Mason Riley would be the first of seven runs scored in the first two frames. Shane Cowan brought home two more on a single into center field, and Caleb Meyers would drive home a fourth run in the bottom of the second before Cowan tallied three more RBIs with a home run to right-center field, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead. Dordt was initially held in check by Dakota Munger, who recorded three strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched. However, the Defenders were able to break the scoreless run in the top of the third. The DWU offense would be held in check for the next few frames as Dordt was able to crawl back into the game, claiming a 10-7 lead by the end of the sixth inning, which saw the Defenders put up six runs. However, the Tigers were finally able to break their own scoreless run with Riley's second home run of the game to get back on the board. DU extended its lead back out to three runs, but an exciting bottom of the seventh saw Talan Ball record an RBI on a triple to right-center field before a defensive error set up Dexter Payne to slam a three-RBI walkoff home run to right-center field, giving the Tigers a 13-11 victory. Lucas Koepsell would record a strikeout in his closing appearance as he was credited with the win.
The offensive burst carried over into the second game of the day, where the Defenders would hold a 2-0 lead at the top of the second before the Tigers rattled off eight runs. Payne picked right back up where he left off with another home run, this time down the right foul line, to bring home three while C. Meyers added two more runs to the board with a double through the middle of the infield. The scoring run in the second was capped off by a Kelbee Woodham home run to right field. The next two innings would also be all Tigers, as a bases-loaded situation allowed Lane Darrow and Riley to cross home plate before Woodham earned two more RBIs with a double to right-center field. Ean Laird cycled back through the rotation and hit his fifth home run of the week to extend the DWU lead to 17-2. Final RBIs recorded by Brett Groebner on a home run, Caleb Breuer on a single to left field, and Alden Barrett on a single through the left side secured a seven-inning 20-7 run-rule victory for DWU. Brayden Cherrey put up an impressive starting effort, tallying eight total strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched, and would be credited with his third win of the season.
The next day would see both teams limit runs as their defenses stepped up, making for closer contests down the stretch, but Dordt did kick off the second day of competition with three runs in the top of the first frame. Cowan earned another RBI on the series while a fielder's choice allowed Groebner to score to bring the score back to 3-2, and both teams would continue to trade one- or two-run frames for the remainder of the contest. Starting pitcher Alex Mizsak would go a complete seven innings on the mound and tally seven strikeouts in an impressive showing. However, the trickle of runs from the Defenders added up as the game continued. Woodham continued his effective series with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, along with a double to earn another run in the bottom of the sixth, but Dordt stayed one stride ahead thanks to its early lead. The Tigers trailed 7-4 in the final inning, and Ball and Darrow brought home runs to bring the game within one, but Dakota Wesleyan was not able to bring home the tying run from third base to get back in the game, losing 7-6 in the third contest of the four-game series.
Game four was highlighted by defense and pitching, as Vander Molen of Dordt got the start on the mound and tallied a full nine innings pitched, while C. Meyers, both in the lineup as a hitter and the starting pitcher, tossed five strikeouts in 6.0 recorded innings. With runs at a premium, Dordt's opening-inning run was that much more important, and it would squeak out to a 2-0 lead over DWU at the end of the third inning. Cowan would lead the team in hits with two, but with only five hits tallied throughout the entire game, it was difficult for the Dakota Wesleyan offense to gain any momentum. The top of the sixth saw the Defenders put up a third run, which would see Nate Huisken appear in relief and eventually close out the game, giving up zero earned runs and recording three strikeouts, and while his performance helped keep the game close, the Tigers would ultimately fall, 3-0. DWU moves to 16-21 overall on the season, and 7-13 in GPAC play.
DWU Baseball will be back in action later in the week at Drake Field. See the full 2026 schedule here.