Next Game:
at Dakota Wesleyan University
2/8/2026 | 12:00 PM
Feb. 08 (Sun) / 12:00 PM
at Dakota Wesleyan University
History
MITCHELL, S.D. – Valley City State opened the spring schedule on the road at Mitchell, S.D with a doubleheader. Pitching was on display as the two teams played two solid one-run games. Dakota Wesleyan won the first game 1-0 in 12-innings then took the second game 3-2.
The Vikings are 3-4 on the season. Dakota Wesleyan is 2-0.
GAME 1 – Dakota Wesleyan 1, Valley City State 0 F/12
Valley City State’s Takao Cookson and Dakota Wesleyan’s Alexander Mizsak dueled for seven innings, neither pitcher allowed a run. The best scoring chance for the Vikings came in the sixth inning when they had the bases loaded and one out and the number two and three hitters coming up for VCSU. But Mizsak got Nicholas Senn to pop out and Alexis Velasco to ground out to end the threat.
The Tigers best chance came in the bottom of the fifth with a runner at third and one out. But Cookson struck out Diego Jirau and got Tommy Dutton to ground out. They did get a runner to second with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Cookson got out of that with a fly out and ground out.
In extra innings, the Vikings had a great scoring chance in the top of the ninth. Velasco led off with a double, pinch runner Diesel Goya stole second. Cam Pero walked, then he stole second putting runners at second and third and one out. Pinch-hitter Izzak Warholik struck out for the second out. Pinch-hitter Grady Shipman walked to load the bases, but Hunter Logan flied out to end the inning.
In the tenth, the Vikings again got two runners on but could not score. Connor Hoyt singled and stole second, Senn walked, then Hoyt and pinch runner Merik Junker pulled off a double steal. But the threat ended when Velasco struck out and Kaden Rozdeba popped out.
In the bottom of the tenth, the Tigers had runners at first and second with one out, but Caleb Hoiseth got out of that inning with a strikeout and groundout. Neither team did anything in eleventh.
In the twelfth, Cody Wielgosh got a one-out double but did not move off second base. In the bottom of the inning, Carter Brown led off with a double then Shane Cowan doubled in pinch runner Easton Millar with the winning run.
At the plate, Connor Hoyt was 3 for 6 for the Vikings. Cody Wielgosh was 1 for 4, Alexis Velasco and Hunter Logan both were 1 for 5.
Takao Cookson allowed five hits and no runs in seven innings. He walked one and struck out eight. Anthony Carrasquillo allowed one hit with a walk and a strikeout in 2 1/3 innings. Caleb Hoiseth took the loss. He allowed two hits and a run in 1 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three.
GAME 2: Dakota Wesleyan 3, Valley City State 2
Both teams wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in game two.
In the top of the first with two out, Kaden Rozdeba singled in Hunter Logan with the first run of the game.
The Tigers got two in the bottom of the inning on a two-run triple by Joseph Tharaldson to make it 2-1 Wesleyan after one.
In the bottom of the third, Lane Darrow scored on a passed ball for Dakota Wesleyan to extend the lead to 3-1.
Alexis Velasco scored on an error in the top of the seventh inning and left the tying run at second when the game ended.
Kaden Rozdeba was 2 for 3 with an RBI for the Vikings. Logan Hunter was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Connor Martin took the loss on the hill going 5 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, three runs, with four walks, and ten strikeouts.
UP NEXT: The two teams will play another double header at Drake Field in Mitchell on Sunday. Game one is scheduled to start at noon with game two to follow at 2pm.