DICKINSON, N.D. – Fourth-seeded Mayville State (N.D.) and fifth-seeded Dickinson State (N.D.) met for the second time in the North Star Athletic Association Baseball Postseason Tournament Sunday evening. The Comets used a fast start, jumping to a 7-0 early lead and held on to defeat the Blue Hawks 10-5 to avenge their opening round setback Friday afternoon.
Mayville State evened their overall record to 23-23 and did not want to end head coach Scott Berry's coaching career, as he plan to retire at the end of the season. Dickinson State finished their season at 22-28 overall record.
The Comets, who won their third straight elimination game including a 15-inning 3-2 victory marathon over No. 3 seed Waldorf (Iowa) earlier Sunday, will face No. 2 seed Dakota State (S.D.) in another loser's out game Monday at 11 a.m. (MT) for a spot to the NSAA championship game at 2:30 p.m. with top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.).
Alan Larocque ignited MSU's fast start with an RBI double, followed by Kole Jessamine and Tyler Ferrera RBI singles for a 3-0 lead in the opening inning. The Comets produced six hits in the first inning.
Mayville State ballooned their lead to 7-0 in the top fourth frame with four runs scored.
Dickinson State snapped their scoring drought with a run in the bottom fourth caused by MSU's defensive error, trailing 7-1.
Carson Lundmark blasted a 2-run home run in the top fifth as MSU's lead grew to 9-1. The Blue Hawks trimmed the deficit to 9-2 in the bottom fifth after Wyatt Wilharm's RBI double.
Jacob Clinton smashed a lead-off home run in the bottom sixth as the Blue Hawks cut MSU's lead to 9-3.
After MSU extended their lead to 10-4 in the seventh, Dawson Cortese hit a 2-run home run as DiSU reduced their deficit to 10-5.
Mayville State held Dickinson State to one hit in the remainder of the game, securing the victory.
Gregor Farquharson earned the victory after tossing 6 1/3 innings for Mayville State. Connor Cory tossed 2 2/3 shutout innings in relief.
Lundmark went 3-of-6 at the plate with a home run, two singles, and two RBIs. Larocque added two hits and three RBIs. Jessamine recorded two hits and two RBIs.
Cortese provided the Blue Hawks' offense with a home run, single and two RBIs. Wilharm added a double, single and an RBI.
Dickinson State used five different pitchers in the game, with Jonathan Lerma picking up the defeat after tossing 3 1/3 innings.
