May 8, 2023
DICKINSON, N.D. – Top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) used a late surge to break a 7-7 tie for a 9-7 victory, thanks to Mathieu Sirois’ solo home run and Drew Staley’s RBI single in the bottom seventh to hold off fourth-seeded Mayville State (N.D.) in the championship game of the North Star Athletic Association baseball postseason tournament. The postseason tournament was being held at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark, hosted by Dickinson State (N.D.).
The Bruins captured the conference tournament’s title for the second straight year – their fifth NSAA tournament title in school history, raising their overall record to 45-8. BU, ranked No. 5 in the latest NAIA Baseball Coaches’ Top 25 national poll, had secured the league’s automatic bid to the NAIA Baseball National Tournament’s Opening Round where they will host on May 15-18 at Don Roddy Field.
The Comets’ run in the conference postseason tournament came to an end and finished their season with an overall record of 24-24. The defeat also ended the legendary long-time head coach Scott Berry for over 40 years at Mayville State.
Bellevue opened with a 2-run lead in the bottom first inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Logan Grant.
Grant added a 2-RBI single with two outs in the bottom second as the Bruins’ lead grew to 4-0.
Kole Jessamine blasted a 3-run home run in the top third inning as Mayville State trimmed their deficit to 4-3, his second home run of the day (hit a home run earlier Monday in an elimination game versus Dakota State, S.D.).
The Comets would tie the game in the fourth inning, thanks to Marcus Hughes’ triple and scored home after BU’s wild pitch.
Mayville State earned their first lead of the game in the top sixth inning as they produced three singles. Carson Lundmark collected an RBI as MSU took a 5-4 lead, forcing the Bruins to change pitcher.
Bellevue would answer with three runs in the bottom sixth inning after a two-out 2-RBI single by Grant to regain their lead to 7-5.
Adam Senden hit a 2-RBI singles with two outs as the Comets tied the game at 7-7 in the top seventh.
Sirois hit a go-ahead solo home run as the Bruins earned an 8-7 lead in the bottom eight. Staley added an RBI single to extend their lead to 9-7.
Parker McMan (W, 4-3) picked up the victory on the pitching mound for Bellevue, shutting down the Comets in the final three innings.
Mayville State poured in 14 hits in the game compared to Bellevue 13 hits. Both left 10 runners on base.
Grant finished the game by going 3-of-5 at the plate, collecting a game-high five RBIs. Sirois added four hits, scored three times, and recorded an RBI. Kanta Kobayashi and Staley each added two hits and an RBI.
Easton Brinton started the game for the Bruins, working five innings and allowing three runs on six hits. Kenji Miller and Jared Eifler each pitched in relief.
Hughes and Jared McCorrister each fueled the Comets’ offense attack with three hits each. Jessamine added two hits and tallied three RBIs. Senden had two RBIs.
Conner Cory pitched five innings for Mayville State. He allowed seven runs (four unearned) on eight hits. Gregor Farquharson worked for one inning in relief. Senden (L, 0-1) took the defeat after tossing two outs, giving up two runs on two hits. Jessamine pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.