Dickinson Baseball punches ticket to state in 5-2 win over Mandan Braves
May 31—MANDAN, N.D. — Head coach Pete Dobitz got to see what he had hoped from his Dickinson players when they came back from their WDA baseball tournament semifinal loss Friday to clinch a state qualifying spot on Saturday.
The Midgets refused to take it lying down and came into their matchup against Mandan with heated bats garnering an early and decisive lead. They had senior contributions throughout the game, just as they have had throughout the season.
Senior Isaac Daley pitched for six innings, collecting six strikeouts for the win, but also gave up six walks. In his final inning, a wild pitch allowed a runner to move into scoring position for a later flyball 90 feet home, making the score 5-2. Closing the final inning was Aiden Haich with 15 pitches and a K.
Competent on the mound, Daley struggled with pitch placement; struggles which he himself was able to help overcome from the batter's box going 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
Senior Drew Kovash tallied two RBIs that came off of a double hit at the bottom of the first to make it 3-0.
Senior Carson Weiler basehit would gain the Midgets' final RBI of the evening at the bottom of the fifth. Hitting a ground ball to the Braves' shortstop for a fielder's choice at second, while courtesy runner Kyler Kudrna advanced home from third to make it 5-1.
In the field, senior Troy Berg and sophomore Kaeden Krieg accumulated 12 putouts, seven for Krieg with Berg holding five and an assist.
Winning the WDA tourney was Century Patriots after defeating Minot 12-9.
Dickinson led their fellow WDA teams with five selections for the All-WDA selections with Troy Berg, Isaac Daley, Aiden Haich, Jordan Bast and Drew Kovash named. The Midgets also left Mandan with the Senior Athlete of the Year and Coach of the Year accolades going to Troy Berg and Dobitz respectively.
The Midgets are set to compete in Jamestown's state tourney representing the west region's third seed and will face Eastern Dakota Conference champion contender's Wahpeton on Thursday.
