Bellevue, Nebraska- The Bruins of Bellevue have had a chokehold on the North Star for years (since 2018), a 22-2 conference record is not unusual for the Bruins. What is unusual is someone keeping pace with them or even holding a lead heading into the final weekend. In 2022 Bellevue won the conference by 5 games, 2021 by 3 games, 2019 by 5 games, and for the last 3 years they have been head and shoulders above everyone. This year though the Trojans of Dakota State are looking to rewrite history in their own favor in this weeks NAIA Ball Big Series of the Week.
Who's playing?
Dakota State (33-13/ 23-1) enters the series with #5 Bellevue (38-7/ 22-2) holding a slim 1 game lead headed into the final weekend series.
History
Bellevue leads this series 26-3 all time. Dakota States wins came in 2012, 2021, and 2022.
Schedule
All times local
Friday 4/28 12p
Friday 4/28 3p
Saturday 4/29 12p
Saturday 4/29 3p
How to watch
All games can be watched here for FREE
The Teams
Dakota State is 33-13 overall and 23-1 in NSAA play, the 33 wins that the Trojans have put up in each of the last two seasons is tied for their third most ever going all the way back to 34 wins in 2006, and 39 in 2007, other than that these are the only other two 30+ win seasons for Dakota State so credit to coach Derrion Hardie for that. The Trojans are hitting .318 as a team average, and their pitching has been phenomenal with a 2.81 staff which leads the nation. The Trojans were 9-12 halfway through March and at one point held the nations longest winning streak. History is against the Trojans, a series win against BU would be a massive and much needed resume builder for them. Players to watch include- Walker Hultgren, Mason Macaluso, Grant Svikulis, and Sam Tyrpa.
#5 Bellevue enters the weekend 38-7 overall and 22-2 in NSAA conference play. The Bruins in my opinion are certified blue blood at this level, in the last 18 years there are 14, 40 plus win seasons, and yes that includes 2020, so really its the last 17 years there have been fourteen 40 plus win seasons. 24 tournament appearances, 15 trips to the World Series with 11 coming after the turn of the century, and a national title in 1995. BU is also 22-4 all time in the NSAA Tournament in 6 attempts they’ve won 4 times. What Duane Monlux does year in and year out is fantastic, and this program continues to be in the national eye constantly. Players to watch include- Kanta Kobayashi, Jake Lacy, Nick Grade, Blake Crippen, and Dustin Schorie.
Final Thoughts
Almost 1,700 people voted and this was Americas choice to be the Big Series of the Week for the final week of the regular season. For Dakota State it presents a chance to re-write some history and even change the course of a program, for Bellevue its continuing on the path that gets you to Lewiston. This will be the toughest test the arms of Dakota State have faced all season, and that will be the key to watch. Can the nations best staff ERA hold off the hit hitting bats of Bellevue who has a .353 average. Looking forward to going over all the incredible post-season content we have for y’all! Best time of the year is approaching quickly!
- Robby Gutierrez