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DSU Ends LSU’s Postseason Run
Posted: May 04, 2025

DSU Ends LSU’s Postseason Run

Despite a magical three-day run in between, La Sierra's ride through the North Star Athletic Association Baseball Championship ended the way it began—with a loss to tournament host Dickinson State (ND).  The Golden Eagles, coming off a one-run win over Dakota State (ND) in the morning, dropped a 5-4 decision to the Blue Hawks in Dickinson, ND, in a game that would determine the NSAA's second NAIA qualifier.  LSU came up short in its fourth elimination game in three days, ending the season with a 22-19 overall record.

Box Score

LSU, the #6 seed in the tournament, very nearly pulled off another thrilling win against #3 DSU (20-28).  Trailing 4-0 after six innings, the Golden Eagles scored four times in their final three at bats, including having two runners on in the 9th.

LSU did not get on the scoreboard until the 7th inning when Bobby Benavidez doubled home Trevor Smentek and Matthew Pontes, who had both walked.  In the 8th they made it a 5-3 game on Adam Amaro's leadoff home run to left, leaving an unlikely comeback to the final inning.  With one out, Smentek singled to right and Benavidez walked.  Amaro again delivered a key hit, singling to center to plate Smentek, but that was the final offense LSU could muster.

Alex Cummings, who started and went three innings in Friday's game against Simpson, was solid, but DSU's trio of pitchers were even better, keeping in check a Golden Eagles offense that had consistently delivered timely hits.  The three Blue Hawk pitchers held LSU to just seven hits and struck out 10.

Nico Masucci, who earned wins in relief on Friday and Saturday, came on to finish the final four innings.  In three outings in the tournament, Masucci totaled 10 innings, gave up six hits, walked three and struck out 11.

Amaro and Dean Samuel each had two hits to lead the Golden Eagle offense.

NSAA Baseball Championship Central

 

2025 NORTH STAR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Hosted by Dickinson State | Dickinson, ND

(All times PT)

Thursday, May 1

Game 1:  #1 Bellevue (Neb.) 9, #8 Valley City State (ND) 3

Game 2:  #4 Simpson 9, #5 Dakota State (SD) 5

Game 3:  #7 Mayville State (ND) 12, #2 Jamestown (ND) 11

Game 4:  #3 Dickinson State (ND) 17, #6 La Sierra 5

 

Friday, May 2

Game 5:  Dakota State (SD) 5, Valley City State (ND) 4

Game 6:  La Sierra 4, Jamestown (ND) 3

Game 7:  Bellevue (Neb.) 8, Simpson 3

Game 8:  Dickinson State (ND) 7, Mayville State (ND) 6

 

Saturday, May 3

Game 10:  Dakota State (SD) 16, Mayville State (ND) 6

Game 11:  Bellevue (Neb.) 18, Dickinson State (ND) 2

Game 9:  La Sierra 7, Simpson 4

 

Sunday, May 4

La Sierra 4, Dakota State (ND) 3

Dickinson State (ND) 5, La Sierra 4

Championship:  Bellevue (Neb.) vs. Dickinson State (ND)

 

Monday, May 5

TBA - Championship (if necessary)