LSU Advances to NSAA Semifinal Game
If the past three days are a valid barometer, La Sierra's opponents do not want to have a lead heading into the later innings of a playoff game. As it has done over last three days of the North Star Athletic Association Championship, the Golden Eagles rallied from behind to earn another win and take another step closer to the NSAA championship game after eliminating Dakota State (ND) 4-3 in Dickinson, ND.
The gritty Golden Eagles have battled out of the loser's bracket and into the NSAA semifinal game. LSU (22-19) upset the tournament seeding with a walk-off 4-3 win against #2 Jamestown (ND) on Friday, rallied from a 4-1 in the 7th to win 7-4, and came from one down to a 3-2 lead en route to their third consecutive elimination-game victory in as many days. LSU, seeded #6 in the tournament, will get a short break and then get back on the field for rematch with #3 Dickinson State (ND), the team that routed the Golden Eagles 17-5 in the opening round. If the Golden Eagles win their fourth must-win game in three days, they will be back out for a third time tonight to play top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) in the championship game at a time to be determined.
The NSAA has two automatic bids to the NAIA Baseball National Tournament Opening Round, which will begin on May 12 at regional sites. Since Regular season champion Bellevue is the first qualifier, and the winner of the postseason tournament receives the second bid. If BU wins the postseason tournament, the second automatic bid will go to the tournament runner-up—meaning whichever team reaches the title game against the Bruins will claim the second NSAA bid.
LSU's Justin Hurst and Jayden Jones combined on an efficient seven-hitter, tossing five and four innings, respectively; Hurst earned the win while Jones notched a save. Combined, they gave up four walks while striking out nine.
The Golden Eagles benefited from some sloppy defense by DSU. In the 3rd, they tallied their first run on an error and tacked on a vital insurance run in the 7th when the Trojan right fielder misplayed a ball. LSU did most of its damage in the 5th when Bobby Benavidez led off with a double in the gap and Dean Samuel was hit by a pitch. One out later, Ethan Gibbs drilled a double to left center to plate both base runners.
LSU totaled only five hits in the game, three of them by Benavidez.
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
Game 12: La Sierra 4, Dakota State (ND) 3
Game 13: Dickinson State (ND) vs. La Sierra (Ioser eliminated)
TBA - Championship: Bellevue (Neb.) vs. Winner Game 13
Monday, May 5
TBA - Championship (if necessary)