DICKINSON, N.D. – La Sierra University capitalized on timely hitting and strong pitching to edge Dakota State 4-3 in an elimination game Sunday at the North Star Athletic Association Baseball Tournament at DCB&T Ballpark. With the win, the Golden Eagles advance to face Dickinson State in the loser's bracket final later Sunday. The winner of that contest will earn a berth in the NSAA Championship against Bellevue.

La Sierra (22-19) overcame an early 2-0 deficit with a run in the third, two in the fifth, and another insurance run in the seventh, then held off a late rally from Dakota State (26-24) in the ninth.

The Trojans struck first in the third inning. Dawson Portner led off with a walk and later scored on a groundout by Hunter Vikemyr. After a hit-by-pitch to Aidan Perry and a wild pitch, Cassidy Watt delivered a two-out RBI double to the right-field line to bring home Perry for a 2-0 lead.

La Sierra responded in the bottom half of the frame. Jose Leon drew a walk and moved to third on a single by Bobby Benavidez. Dean Samuel then reached on an error, allowing Leon to score and cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Golden Eagles took the lead in the fifth inning. Benavidez ripped a one-out double and advanced to third when Samuel was hit by a pitch. Ethan Gibbs followed with a two-out double to left center, driving in both runners to make it 3-2.

La Sierra added what proved to be the winning run in the seventh. Benavidez opened the inning with his third hit of the game and moved to third on a sacrifice by Samuel. After Dakota State brought in Sam Tyrpa from the bullpen, Adam Amaro reached on a fielding error by the right fielder, allowing Benavidez to score.

Dakota State threatened in the ninth when Ben Loos singled and Portner followed with another base hit. With two outs, Perry singled to left to plate Loos and bring the Trojans within a run. However, Vikemyr’s fielder’s choice ended the game and sealed the win for the Golden Eagles.

Benavidez led all players with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, scoring twice. Gibbs finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Amaro and Samuel each drove in a run.

Loos paced the Trojans with a 3-for-4 performance. Perry reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with an RBI, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. Watt added a double and RBI.

On the mound, Justin Hurst earned the win for La Sierra, going five innings and allowing two runs on three hits with five strikeouts. Jayden Jones pitched four innings in relief, giving up one run on four hits to collect the save.

Nicholai Arbach started for Dakota State and threw 6.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Tyrpa tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out three and giving up just one hit.

La Sierra committed no errors in the contest, while the Trojans were charged with two. The Golden Eagles stranded eight runners on base compared to nine by the Trojans.

Saturday’s victory allows La Sierra to stay alive in the double-elimination format, setting up a rematch with host Dickinson State, who defeated the Golden Eagles earlier in the tournament. The winner of the evening game will move on to Sunday’s/Monday's NSAA Championship game against top-seeded Bellevue.