MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan Baseball hosted the Dickinson State Blue Hawks at Drake Field for an out-of-conference four-game series over the weekend.
Saturday saw the Blue Hawks score the first run of the series in the top of the first, but the Tigers were ready to respond with an explosive six-run bottom of the third inning. Carter Brown was able to tie the contest up with a solo-shot home run into left field, while Caleb Meyers followed it up with a home run of his own with a two-RBI knock, sending Lane Darrow across home plate in the process. A double from Tommy Dutton and a triple from Talan Ball added more runs as the Tigers took a 6-1 lead heading into the back half of the first game. On the mound, Alex Mizsak tallied seven strikeouts through six innings pitched while only giving up two earned runs on a 100-pitch count, and eventually was gifted the win at the end of the game. His efforts helped keep the Blue Hawks at bay following the six-run inning from DWU. Dakota Munger came into the game for the seventh inning following a two-run homer from DSU to shut down the rally attempt as the Tigers claimed a 6-3 victory to kick off the four-game stretch.
The second contest saw both teams find early runs after a one-run top of the first saw DWU respond with a double from Dexter Payne, who sent Darrow and C. Meyers across home plate to take a 2-1 lead. The next two frames would pass without any additional runs scored thanks to Payne's efforts on the mound, where he recorded three strikeouts, along with Brayden Cherrey, who was able to pick up the win in relief after 4.0 innings pitched and five recorded strikeouts. The effort down the stretch helped DWU keep the game within reach, as the fourth inning would see Dickinson State add two runs to the board to reclaim the lead, 3-2. In the bottom of the fourth, DWU was able to knot it back up thanks to Landon Ruesink wearing a pitch with the bases loaded, and while Dickinson State recorded an RBI single in the fifth, Dakota Wesleyan was able to respond thanks to another display of plate discipline from Dutton, who was walked to bring a fourth run in. The contest would stay tied at 4-4 after the allotted seven innings of play, but after Cherrey continued to dish, Ruesink was able to drive in the game-winning run on a single to left field, resulting in a 5-4 win for DWU.
The first game of Sunday's doubleheader was similarly paced compared to the previous contest, with both teams able to put up early runs before late surges ultimately decided the contest. The Tigers would answer to DSU's initial second-inning run with a double from Ball followed by a single from Brown to grab a 2-1 lead, and would be supported by a stout effort from Broc Berry on the mound, who was able to strike out six batters on 82 total pitches. The game remained at the 2-1 scoreline until the sixth inning, when the Blue Hawks were able to post two runs off a pair of singles, putting DWU at a 3-2 deficit heading into the seventh inning. In the bottom of the final frame, however, fully-loaded bases were able to take advantage of an infield knock from Mason Riley, and Ruesink was able to cross home plate following a throwing error to earn another walkoff victory, 4-3. Munger would appear for an inning in relief, but Nathaniel Huisken was credited with the win after recording a strikeout in the top of the seventh to keep the game within a score before the winning run.
In Sunday's second matchup, and the final game of the series, C. Meyers would make a double appearance, both on the mound and at the plate. As the starting pitcher, he racked up six strikeouts on 81 total pitches while only giving up one earned run, and recorded a hit at the second spot in the batting order. Dickinson State was once again able to put up a run in the top of the first, but a single from Kyler Adams to center field in the bottom of the second tied it up at 1-1. The Tigers were able to take the lead thanks to a single from Darrow, who ended up being named the Quality Homes/Bradley's Pub & Grille Player of the Day, en route to two RBIs and three total hits on Sunday. A sacrifice fly from Jackson Jarding helped get Payne across the plate to expand the lead to 3-1, and the final stretch of the contest saw Payne take a walk with the bases loaded to bump the lead to 4-1, and a sacrifice fly from Joseph Tharaldson put the final score at 5-1 in favor of DWU. The Blue Hawks had a late offensive surge as they looked for any opportunity to get back into the contest, but another solid outing from Huisken in relief, along with a final stand from Lucas Koepsell, earned Dakota Wesleyan the victory, completing the 4-0 sweep of Dickinson State. DWU moves to 6-2 to start the 2026 season.
DWU Baseball will be back in action for a series against York starting on Friday, February 27th. See the full 2026 schedule here.