Trojans' Big First Inning, KO Dakota Wesleyan 10-7

BY DAN HOLSWORTH - Madison Daily Leader Sports Editor
April 10, 2008

(Madison, SD) - There's nothing like hitting home runs at home. On Wednesday, Trojans Armando Rodriguez and Greg Biagi lifted Dakota State University to an early 7-0, first-inning lead by clearing Flynn Field's outfield fences. Rodriguez cranked out a 3-run circuit blast and Biagi added a 2-run homer in the first inning, sending the Trojans (14-8) on their way to a 10-7 non-conference college baseball win over Dakota Wesleyan University.

Later, Trojan catcher Mike Young added a solo home run and a 2-run homer to account for DSU's other runs.

"I felt that we really came to play, and we were focused from the start to finish," said Trojan Coach Dean Berry. Josh Guild, Matt Burpee and Jeff Savas also hit safely in the first inning to help starter Dan Rhodes on his way to his second win of the season.

DWU banged out nine of its 11 hits against Rhodes (2-1), but could only score four of their seven runs off him. Rhodes had five strikeouts in the game, while allowing just one walk.

"Our pitching staff was a little depleted after playing 21 innings at Dickinson on Monday," added Berry. "We needed Dan to give us some good innings, and he did that for us. I was proud of him."

Dakota Wesleyan pitchers Corey Marek, Thomas Pickett, Freddy Janssen and Phil Johnson couldn't stop the Trojans at the plate.

Tiger starter Marek was driven from the mound in the first inning.

DSU ended up with 14 hits in the ballgame, led by Guild and Burpee, who each went 3-for-5 at the plate. Young added his two homers and Deryk Randt contributed two singles.

Bob Olson, in his two innings of relief, gave up the three other Tiger tallies, all scored in the top half of the ninth inning. Olson had three strikeouts.

DWU's attack was sparked by Ryan Santiago and Sean Heary, who each had two hits.

It was Heary who smacked a 3-run homer in the ninth to score the Tigers' final three runs in the contest. Santiago had cranked out a 2-run circuit blast in the sixth inning. Terry Lundeen added a 3-4 outing, which included a double. With the loss, Dakota Wesleyan's record dipped to 12-14. DSU is slated to play two doubleheaders against Jamestown College in Jamestown, N.D., Saturday and Sunday.