BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association announced their seventh edition of the Baseball Players-of-the-Week Monday. Takao Cookson of Valley City State (N.D.) was selected as the Pitcher-of-the-Week. Ayden Makarus of Bellevue (Neb.) was chosen as the Player-of-the-Week.

North Star Athletic Association Baseball Pitcher-of-the-Week
Takao Cookson – Valley City State (N.D.) – Sophomore – pitcher – Regina, Sask., Canada – Cookson tossed a complete game 6-0 shutout victory over (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) for Valley City State (N.D.). He allowed just three hits in the game. Cookson registered nine strikeouts (11.57 strikeouts per nine innings) and produced an earned run average (ERA) of 0.00 and a 0.43 WHIP (walks and hits per innings) in the victory. 

North Star Athletic Association Baseball Player-of-the-Week
Ayden Makarus – Bellevue (Neb.) – Junior – utility – Okotoks, Alberta, Canada – Makarus recorded at least a hit six times as (RV) Bellevue (Neb.) went 7-0 record for the week at home. He registered a batting average of .492, on-base percentage of .480, a slugging percentage of 1.048, and an on-base slugging of 1.528.  Makarus was 9-of-21 at the plate and scored eight runs. Five of his nine hits were extra-bases hits and had an extra-bases hits in five different games. He smashed four home runs and added a double for the week.  Makarus led the team with 10 runs batted in (RBIs). 

Recap from last week's games
Bellevue (Neb.), receiving votes in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, ballooned their winning streak to 16 games after going 7-0 record for the week at home. The Bruins swept Dickinson State (N.D.) 6-5 and 12-2 on April 7, followed by an 8-4 victory over Midland (Neb.) on April 9. BU earned a four-game series sweep of Mayville State (N.D.) on April 11-12. Bellevue is 28-11 overall record and 12-0 NSAA conference record.

The Jimmies went 3-1 record in the four-game series with Valley City State (N.D.) on April 11-12 in Valley City, N.D. Jamestown is 27-11 overall record and 8-4 record in the league. The Vikings are 16-25 overall record and 1-11 NSAA conference record.

Mayville State (N.D.) earned another doubleheader split with (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) in Sioux Falls, S.D., on April 7. The Comets were swept by Mount Marty (S.D.) during a mid-week non-conference doubleheader. MSU is 11-25 overall record and 3-9 record in the North Star contests.

Dickinson State edged Dakota State (S.D.) in the NSAA four-game series in Dickinson, N.D., winning three games. The Blue Hawks are 14-23 overall record, while the Trojans are 19-18 overall record. Both teams are 6-6 record in the North Star conference contests.

Looking Ahead
(RV) Bellevue (Neb.) heads on the road at Doane (Neb.) on Tuesday afternoon for a non-conference contest. (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) plays Briar Cliff (Iowa) in a doubleheader held in Redfield, S.D. on the same day, while Dakota State returns home versus Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).

The North Star Athletic Association action continues Friday and Saturday with another four-game series. The schedule this weekend includes BU at DaSU, Dickinson State (N.D.) at UJ, and Mayville State (N.D.) at Valley City State (N.D.).

Stay tuned to your school's athletics' website for any potential rescheduling of contests.

            Tuesday's Games
            Briar Cliff (Iowa) vs. (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) – Doubleheader – 1:30 p.m. @ Redfield, S.D.
            (RV) Bellevue (Neb.) @ Doane (Neb.) – 3 p.m.
            Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) @ Dakota State (S.D.) – 5 p.m.

            Friday's Games
            Mayville State (N.D.) @ Valley City State (N.D.) – Doubleheader – 1 p.m.
            (RV) Bellevue (Neb.) @ Dakota State (S.D.) – Doubleheader – 1 p.m.
            Dickinson State (N.D.) @ (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) – Doubleheader – 1 p.m.

            Saturday's Games
            Mayville State (N.D.) @ Valley City State (N.D.) – Doubleheader – 12 p.m.
            (RV) Bellevue (Neb.) @ Dakota State (S.D.) – Doubleheader – 12 p.m.
            Dickinson State (N.D.) @ (RV) Jamestown (N.D.) – Doubleheader – 12 p.m.

2025 NSAA Baseball Conference Standings
 

School	Overall Record	NSAA Record	Games Behind	Streak
(RV) Bellevue (Neb.)	28-11	12-0	----	Won 16
(RV) Jamestown (N.D.)	27-11	8-4	4.0	Won 1
Dickinson State (N.D.)	14-23	6-6	6.0	Won 2
Dakota State (S.D.)	19-18	6-6	6.0	Lost 2
Mayville State (N.D.)	11-25	3-9	9.0	Lost 7
Valley City State (N.D.)	16-25	1-11	11.0	Lost 1