Forest City, Iowa - Dakota Wesleyan swept Waldorf in a two-game series, winning 7-5 in the first game and 7-3 in the second. In Game 1, a five-run third inning powered Dakota Wesleyan's offense, with Tommy Dutton driving in two runs, while Dexter Payne earned the win on the mound. Waldorf attempted a late comeback but fell short. In Game 2, Dakota Wesleyan capitalized on five Waldorf errors and a four-run sixth inning to secure the victory. Caleb Meyers pitched five strong innings with seven strikeouts, and Ean Laird added a triple and an RBI. Mason Smith drove in all three of Waldorf's runs across both games, but their struggles with errors and walks proved costly.
Game 1: Dakota Wesleyan 7, Waldorf 5
Dakota Wesleyan defeated Waldorf 7-5 in their season opener in Forest City, Iowa. After trailing 3-0, Dakota Wesleyan scored five runs in the third inning, followed by single runs in the fourth and fifth. The team totaled 10 hits, with Dexter Payne leading with three, while Tommy Dutton and Caleb Meyers each drove in two runs. Landon Ruesink and Payne recorded doubles, and Dakota Wesleyan left 10 runners on base. Waldorf had seven hits and eight walks but stranded 14 runners.
Dexter Payne earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Brayden Cherrey threw a scoreless sixth with three strikeouts. Logan Miller allowed two runs without recording an out in the seventh, and Alexander Mizsak finished the game with a scoreless inning for the save. Waldorf's starter, Seth Mifflin, took the loss after allowing six earned runs on nine hits over four innings. Waldorf's pitchers combined for three strikeouts and five walks.
Defensively, Dakota Wesleyan committed one error, while Waldorf committed two. Ruesink and Easton Millar each stole a base for Dakota Wesleyan, while Rylee Rauch had two for Waldorf. Waldorf's Lucas Romero and Mason Smith hit doubles and contributed RBIs.
Game 2: Dakota Wesleyan 7, Waldorf 3
Dakota Wesleyan defeated Waldorf 7-3 in a game played at Forest City, Iowa. Dakota Wesleyan scored twice in the second inning before adding four runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh. They finished with seven hits, including a triple from Ean Laird, who also drove in a run. Additional RBIs came from Lane Darrow, Landon Ruesink, and Dexter Payne. Waldorf managed four hits and scored all three of their runs on a sixth-inning double by Mason Smith. Waldorf committed five errors, while Dakota Wesleyan had two.
Caleb Meyers earned the win for Dakota Wesleyan, pitching five innings and allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out seven. Nathaniel Huisken and Brayden Cherrey combined to pitch the final two innings, giving up one run on one hit with three combined strikeouts. Waldorf's Jack Kamalski took the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings. Chase Becker and Jackson Thoe followed in relief, with Becker giving up three runs and Thoe allowing one unearned run.
Defensively, Dakota Wesleyan turned in a solid performance despite two errors. They also executed two sacrifice plays. Waldorf struggled with five errors, contributing to three unearned runs. Lucas Romero recorded the only extra-base hit for Waldorf, doubling in the fourth inning. .
Up Next
The Tigers are set to face Doane this weekend, with the time and location to be determined based on weather conditions.