Baseball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader with Dakota State

Marshall, Mo., (March 22, 2024)- The Missouri Valley College baseball team opened a home non-conference series with Dakota State (S.D.), Friday afternoon. The Vikings trailed early, and rallied late to win the opening game, 10-9, but then dropped in a low-scoring second game, 1-0.

The first game started with Dakota State going in front in the top of the first inning, using one hit to score one run. Missouri Valley went in front with a double from Senior Centerfielder Ivory Daniels (Little Rock, Ark.), who also scored as Senior Shortstop Josias Mogollon (Bloomfield, Iowa) doubled to right field. Mogollon then stole third and scored on an error to make it a 2-1 score. Dakota State tied the game scoring two runs in the top of the second, 2-2. Then, Junior First Baseman Joe Hedger (Logan, Iowa) and Junior Catcher Connor Bell (San Diego, Calif.) both walked in the bottom half but the Vikings were not able to produce any runs. Dakota State went on top in the third inning, using two hits to score two runs. After the Vikings were taken down in order in the bottom of the third, the Trojans followed with a rally and scored four more runs to make it a 9-2 score in the fourth inning.

Missouri Valley answered back with a long rally as Senior Pitcher Ty Ellis (Kennett, Mo.) singled, Bell walked, then Junior Rightfielder Hiroto Kobayashi (Saitama, Japan) loaded the bases with a single and Mogollon brough Ellis home with a single to third base. With loaded bases, Junior Third Baseman Jayden Mah (Nanaimo, British Columbia), Freshman Leftfielder Mason Baer (Roselle, Ill.) and Hedger all walked, allowing the Vikings to score three runs to cut into their deficit, 9-6. Sophomore Pitcher Coy Smith (Marshall, Mo.) struck out one batter and both teams were scoreless in the sixth inning. Dakota State was not able to produce any runs in the top of the seventh, and the Vikings came back as Kobayashi doubled, Mah reached first on an error, and Baer doubled to right field to bring home Kobayashi. Later in the inning, with two outs, Ellis walked allowing Junior Second Baseman Ruben Fernandez (Madrid, Spain) to score as he came in to pinch run for Mah. Bell followed with a single to bring home two runners to finish off with a 10-9 victory.

Mogollon led with two hits, two runs and two RBI's. Kobayashi followed with two hits and two runs, while Baer had one hit, one run scored and two RBI's. Ellis had one hit, one run and one RBI. Daniels totaled one hit and one run scored, and Bell had one hit and two RBI's. Smith picked up the win, going three innings in relief with two hits, one strikeout and no earned runs.

The second game started with Junior Pitcher Caleb Monnig (Liberty, Mo.) working around a leadoff walk with an inning-ending double-play. Kobayashi walked and Mogollon singled but both were left stranded in the bottom of the first inning. Both teams were held scoreless in the second and third inning. Dakota State eventually went on top in the fourth inning, producing three hits and one run, 1-0. Monning struck out one batter in the fifth and sixth inning facing the minimum. The Vikings threatened in the bottom half as Daniels doubled to center field, Mogollon walked and both advanced on a wild pitch, but the pair were left stranded. Missouri Valley was unable to cut into their deficit in the game, and fell by a final score of 1-0.

Daniels finished with two hits, while Mogollon added one hit. The loss went to Monning who pitched seven innings, giving up seven hits and only allowed one earned run.

Missouri Valley moves to 11-14 overall, while Dakota State is now 20-7 on the season.

Up next, the two teams continue their series with a doubleheader at 12 p.m., tomorrow (Saturday), at Indian Foothills Park.

Game 1 Box Score - Click Here

Game 2 Box Score - Click Here

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.