College baseball in North Dakota and South Dakota has Divison I, Divison II, NAIA, and NJCAA-level programs. Our staff at Prep Baseball Dakotas wants to provide a platform for players and parents to learn more about these collegiate programs, opening eyes to opportunities to play at the next level. With various college programs, we want to highlight programs at all levels.

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DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

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Overview

Level: NAIA
Conference: North Star Athletic Conference
2024 Record: 36-16
Head Coach: Derrion Hardie
Head Coach Record: 334-283 

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Who are your top Returners from the 2023 season?

"2024 1st Team All-Conference Returners: Sam Tyrpa - SR/RHP from Excelsior, MN Aidan Perry - SO/2B (was also Gold Glove) from Dripping Springs, TX. 2024 2nd Team All-Conference Returners: Cory Brownson - SR/OF from Billings, MT Hunter Vikemyr - SR/RHP-OF from Viroqua, WI. 2024 Honorable Mention All-Conference Returners: Dawson Portner - SR/3B from Tea, SD Nicholai Arbach - SR/RHP from Hayti, SD. Other Key 2024 Returners to Note: Curtis Flint - JR/LHP from Omaha, NE Aiden Urbom - SR/RHP from Ceresco, NE Cassidy Watt - SR/C from Coquitlam, BC, Canada Cam DeMaria - JR/1B from Fresno, CA Seth Altwine - SR/UT from Kearney, NE. Top Newcomers to Program: Braylen Bear - FR/RHP from Sioux Falls, SD George Hogan - JR/INF from Evergreen, CO Darcy Barry - JR/INF from Adaleide, Australia Connor Raney - JR/OF from Pflugerville, TX." 

What positions are you projecting will be thin and actively recruiting for the fall of 2025?

"3 Pitchers, 1 Catcher, 1 Shortstop and 1 Outfielder."

How many post season appearances have you had with the current Head Coach?

"The Trojans have qualified for the post-season all four years (2021-2024)."

What does your spring schedule look like? Non-conference, spring trips, conference play, playoffs?

"Our 10-day spring break trip will be played in Texas. We will play one of the strongest non-conference and overall schedules in the NAIA. 18 of our 30 non-conference games (60% of our non-conference schedule) and 26 of our 50 total games (52% of our total schedule) are versus teams that were one or more of the following in 2024: 1) Top 25 2) Receiving Votes (RV) to be nationally ranked 3) National Tournament Qualifier 4) Area Ranking Committee (ARC/regionally ranked) 5) Played in a Conference Tournament Championship Game."

Any alumni in professional baseball?

"Bubba Thompson (shortstop), signed with the Boise Hawks of the Pioneer League, an MLB Partner League. In 2023, Grant Svikulis (RHP) and Mitsuki Shimonishi (RHP), signed with the Tucson Saguaros of the Pecos League."

Why should an athlete choose to be apart of your School/Program?

"Our Motto: Finish Empty All You Got. Every Day. Produce a program that competes annually for a Conference Championship and bid to the National Tournament, but more importantly, proud DSU Alumni that live a Finish Empty lifestyle. Our foundation is a mission to Finish Empty, supported by core values of Selfless, Excellence, and Energy (SEE) that is policed and protected by our players. Dakota State University is a special place, and Trojan Baseball is here to develop our student-athletes personally, academically, and athletically." 

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Coaching Staff

NAME	TITLE	YEAR AT PROGRAM
Derrion Hardie	Head Coach	5
Dan Rutan	Assistant Coach (Pitchers and Catchers)	1
Quentin Evers	Assistant Coach (Hitters)	1
Zakk Evers	Assistant Coach (Infielders)	-
JD Kirchner	Assistant Coach (Outfielders)	-

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