Portner's grand slam helps DSU steal win over Valley City State
With the win, the Trojans improved to 25-23 on the season, while the Vikings ended their year at 20-32.
Trailing 4-1 entering their final at-bat, DSU mounted a four-run rally capped by Dawson Portner's go-ahead grand slam to center field. The senior third baseman came through after the Trojans loaded the bases with back-to-back hit-by-pitches and a pinch-hit infield single.
The dramatic finish backed a strong relief outing from Sam Tyrpa (W, 5-6), who earned the win with 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Tyrpa allowed just two hits, struck out seven and did not issue a walk, facing the minimum over his final two frames to preserve the lead. He extended his all-time DSU school record of 259 strikeouts, previously held by Nicholai Arbach briefly who had 254 career strikeouts after Friday's game.
VCSU opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Kaden Rozdeba singled with two outs, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on a sharp single through the left side by Alexis Velasco to give the Vikings a 1-0 advantage.
Dakota State tied the game in the fourth when Ben Loos homered to center with two outs, his first long ball of the postseason and his collegiate career. Loos finished 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Vikings responded with a three-run fifth inning. Diesel Goya was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and stole second. With one out and two runners on, Porter Jorgenson delivered the biggest hit of the day for Valley City State—a three-run double to the left-center gap that cleared the bases and extended the lead to 4-1.
Jorgenson went 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a walk, while Rozdeba reached base three times and scored twice.
DSU managed just five hits through the first eight innings off Valley City State starter Takao Cookson, who struck out eight in 7 1/3 innings. He exited with one out in the eighth, and the Vikings turned to freshman left-hander Connor Martin. Martin (L, 0-6) after allowing both inherited runners to reach and surrendering Portner's decisive homer.
The Trojans' ninth-inning dramatic rally began with a hit-by-pitch to Cassidy Watt, followed by another hit batter—Camaron Haller—putting two aboard with no outs. After a flyout, Loos struck out looking for the second out. Seth Altwine entered as a pinch hitter and legged out an infield single to keep the inning alive and load the bases. Portner followed with the game-winning blast.
On the mound, Alex Swack started for Dakota State and allowed four earned runs on three hits and five walks over 4 1/3 innings. He exited in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out. Tyrpa entered and retired the next two batters, limiting further damage and keeping the Trojans within striking distance.
Offensively, Aidan Perry paced the Trojans with a 2-for-3 day and reached base three times. Altwine and Camaron Raney each added a hit, while Michael Buchmann (courtesy runner for Watt) and Raney scored key runs in the ninth.
Defensively, the Trojans played solidly behind their pitching staff, committing just one error. The Vikings turned two double plays in the loss and got an error-free effort from their fielders.
DSU awaits the loser of the winner's bracket game between No. 7 seed Mayville State (N.D.) and No. 3 seed Dickinson State (N.D.), which is played Friday evening at 8 p.m. (CT)/7 p.m. (MT). The Trojans' second elimination game of the NSAA tournament is slated for 12 p.m. (Central Time)/11 a.m. (Mountain Time).
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Vikings report for camp realizing the hard work required to better a 14-win season
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss, when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done. 'More is required,' the veteran edge rusher posted on social media. Three months later, Greenard's spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring. 'You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you're going to pull somebody else and they're going to see that and it's going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building,' Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet. The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender. The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one. 'Because clearly that scale hasn't been tipped for us,' right tackle Brian O'Neill said, 'and we need to find a way to make that happen.' As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O'Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season. 'We feel proud of some of the things we've accomplished, but at the same time I think it's time for all of us to continue to look inward first,' O'Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. 'It's time for us to acknowledge what we're actually trying to build here, and what that's going to take is — in my opinion — an invisible presence of understanding that we're capable but we've got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to.' Darrisaw highlights list of healthy players The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie. That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O'Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Addison could face suspension after resolution of court case Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth," Adofo-Mensah said. ___
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Vikings report for camp realizing the hard work required to better a 14-win season
Associated Press EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss, when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done. 'More is required,' the veteran edge rusher posted on social media. Three months later, Greenard's spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring. 'You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you're going to pull somebody else and they're going to see that and it's going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building,' Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet. The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender. The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one. 'Because clearly that scale hasn't been tipped for us,' right tackle Brian O'Neill said, 'and we need to find a way to make that happen.' As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O'Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season. 'We feel proud of some of the things we've accomplished, but at the same time I think it's time for all of us to continue to look inward first,' O'Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. 'It's time for us to acknowledge what we're actually trying to build here, and what that's going to take is — in my opinion — an invisible presence of understanding that we're capable but we've got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to.' Darrisaw highlights list of healthy players The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie. That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O'Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Addison could face suspension after resolution of court case Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth," Adofo-Mensah said. ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
Hamilton Spectator
3 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Vikings report for camp realizing the hard work required to better a 14-win season
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings were just hours into their offseason, eliminated from the playoffs with a lopsided loss, when Jonathan Greenard was moved to challenge himself and his teammates to embrace the hard work of trying to better a 14-4 record and avoid another one-and-done. 'More is required,' the veteran edge rusher posted on social media. Three months later, Greenard's spontaneous slogan turned into a T-shirt. The motivational swag was waiting for every player at his locker upon arrival for the start of strength and conditioning sessions in the spring. 'You can only control your individual effort, and as long as you do that, you're going to pull somebody else and they're going to see that and it's going to be infectious for the whole team, the whole building,' Greenard said earlier in the offseason, explaining the purpose of spreading the word beyond a simple tweet . The mantra has resonated throughout a well-regarded organization that will again field a well-built roster in 2025 but still faces questions about its viability as a championship contender. The Vikings, of course, are one of the few NFL teams that have existed for the entire Super Bowl era but never won one. 'Because clearly that scale hasn't been tipped for us,' right tackle Brian O'Neill said, 'and we need to find a way to make that happen.' As players reported to training camp this week, coach Kevin O'Connell turned up the volume on the messaging. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell each signed contract extensions during the offseason, keeping their job statuses in sync as they embark on their fourth year together while also raising the bar for expectations. The Vikings have not won a playoff game since they arrived, a drought going back to the 2019 season. 'We feel proud of some of the things we've accomplished, but at the same time I think it's time for all of us to continue to look inward first,' O'Connell said Tuesday at a joint news conference with Adofo-Mensah to formally kick off the season. 'It's time for us to acknowledge what we're actually trying to build here, and what that's going to take is — in my opinion — an invisible presence of understanding that we're capable but we've got to put in a lot of work to feel totally worthy in those moments to get to where we want to get to.' Darrisaw highlights list of healthy players The Vikings started only two players on the physically unable to perform list: tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back), their sixth-round draft pick, and linebacker Chaz Chambliss (foot), an undrafted rookie. That means left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from reconstructive knee surgery after tearing his ACL last year, and new right guard Will Fries, whose 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts ended early because of a broken leg, are right on track. O'Connell said both players would likely be limited to individual drills at the beginning of training camp to complete the ramping-up process, but the likelihood of having both key blockers ready for Week 1 is a vital boost for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Addison could face suspension after resolution of court case Wide receiver Jordan Addison last week pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that resolved his 2024 drunken driving citation, clearing the way for potential discipline from the league. Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings have not been given an indication about the timing of such a decision. 'Obviously, when that originally happened, we knew that it was a possibility, but really you're talking about team building in general: You might not have players on the field for various reasons, and you've always got to be ready with depth,' Adofo-Mensah said. ___ AP NFL:
