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The 4th seeded Blue Hawks had a weekend to remember. Their four-game sweep through the DAC Tournament earned their ticket to the Region III Tournament this week and their performance also serves as an example as to why championships should be decided on the field.
DSU entered the competition with a modest 9-8 conference mark, but they did more than just turn a few heads the last four days--they have gained both confidence and momentum. The Hawks put up 47 runs, collected 52 hits--17 for extra bases including eight that left the yard--and committed just one error in their four wins. They received clutch hitting too and their pitching was solid, especially when it had to be.
The Blue Hawks flew past Jamestown College in their opening game, 15-2, but in the bottom of the 8th inning in Game two, they were looking up at a 12-4 score against the host school, Valley City State. Mark Wiley’s grand slam cut the lead in half, and the bats stayed active. Five more runs put DSU ahead, 13-12.
In the 9th, a two-out, solo shot by VCSU tied the game and the Hawks escaped further damage. In DSU’s half of the inning, Scott Tulloch reached first on a walk and the ‘book strategy” asks for a sacrifice bunt to move him into scoring position. Head Coach Duane Monlux called for exactly that ploy with Tony Isbell, the next batter. He tried his hand at bunting--twice--though not successfully. Down in the count, but not on confidence, Isbell stroked the game-winning, walk-off homer that ended one of the most wild and dramatic come-from-behind wins in Hawk history. The turn in fortunes was key for DSU as they stayed in the winners’ bracket and their path to the tournament championship could take one fewer game than the other teams.
Minot State was ousted the next day in an 8-4 Hawk win in another come-from-behind affair. A two-out, two-run double courtesy of Danny Fernandez erased a 4-3 Beaver lead in the 9th inning and opened the door to a five-run outburst. Dakota State was the final hurdle for DSU and they pounded out another 16 hits in earning their 3rd straight DAC Tournament Championship in a 9-6 victory. Luis Avila gained his second win of the tournament and pitched 14 innings total. Bryan Visser Named DAC Pitcher of the Week
Visser helped the Blue Hawks to a 3-1 week with a complete game, shutout over Valley City State, the first shutout for the season for the DSU pitching staff. In his lone appearance of the week, he gave up no runs on three hits in seven innings with four strikeouts and no walks and did not allow a runner past second base in improving his season record to 3-0. The Hawks are 16-22-1 overall and 5-6-1 in the DAC going into the final week of the season. Former Blue Hawk Standout Signs Pro Contract
Marcus Davis joins Travis Hodsdon as the second Blue Hawk baseball player in school history to sign a professional baseball contract. Davis was recently picked up by the Gary Southshore Railcats of the Northern League for the upcoming 2008 summer season. The Railcats were the Northern League Champions during the 2007 season.
Davis played both football and baseball for the Hawks. He participated in baseball for DSU during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. He was a standout centerfielder, garnering 2nd team All DAC honors his junior year after posting a .381 batting average with eight homers and 27 stolen bases. He is DSU’s career stolen base and runs scored leader, swiping 46 bags and scoring 96 runs in just two seasons.
“I’m really happy for Marcus,” says Duane Monlux. “He is a very talented, gifted athlete that has a huge upside. This is also a big day for Dickinson State baseball. There is a lot of talent in the northern part of the country. It’s good for our league when kids get looks and get the opportunity to go on in pro ball.” |
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