KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Dakota State University softball team returned back to action Monday afternoon for the first time since April 7.  The Trojans visit Avila (Mo.) in a doubleheader at Zarda Multisport Complex.  The Eagles ended DSU's four-game winning streak with a doubleheader sweep by the scores of 5-0 and 3-1.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 12-14.  Avila, a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, improved their overall record to 7-23.

Game 1 - Avila (Mo.) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 - BOX SCORE

The Eagles opened the game with a three-run lead in the bottom first.  Darah Matheis reached on base by a walk.  She advanced to second base after Maggie Carthen hit a sacrifice bunt.  Jennifer Elliot recorded an RBI single to score Matheis to give the Eagles their first lead of the game at 1-0.  Caityln Shireman hit a 2-run home run to extend AU's lead to 3-0.

Dakota State looked to bounce back in the top second inning.  Brittany Hill opened with a single and advanced to second base after Katie Slibowski's sacrifice bunt.  Bretton Lien reached on base by a walk with one out.  Shai-Lee Hill recorded a sacrifice bunt to advance Brittany Hill to third base and Lien to second base.  The Trojans could not convert their scoring opportunity as the Eagles held on to a 3-0 lead.

The Eagles added two runs in the bottom fourth frame to extend their lead to 5-0.  DSU committed two errors in the inning.

Brittany Hill had a double in the top sixth inning and advanced Elizabeth Rubalcava to third base with one out.  Dakota State was unable to produce a run as the Eagles recorded two straight outs to keep their 5-0 lead.

Avila sealed the game in the final inning as the Trojans went three-and-out.

Brittany Hill was perfect at the plate for the Trojans.  She was 3-for-3 with a double and two singles - her 15th multi-hit games this season and her 35th career multi-game.  Renaye Gamson added a single.  Chelsey John had two walks. 

Elliot and Shireman each produced two RBIs for the Eagles.  Elliot had two singles.  Shireman had a home run.  Misel recorded a double and a single.  Kayla Grieshaber had a single and swiped one base.

DSU left six runners on base.  Avila had five runners left on base.

The Eagles outhit the Trojans 6-4 in the game.

Brittany Hill (0-1) recorded the loss for Dakota State.  She tossed 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on two hits.  Slibowski pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief.  She allowed two unearned runs on four hits.  Slibowski struck out six Eagles' batters.

Jennifer Hammonds pitched a complete game victory for Avila.  She limited the Trojans to four hits.

Game 2 - Avila (Mo.) 3, Dakota State (S.D.) 1 - BOX SCORE

Both teams were scoreless through the first five innings of the game.

AU exploded for three runs in the bottom sixth inning to earn a three-run lead.  Matheis and Carthen hit back-to-back singles to open the bottom sixth.  Elliot reached on base caused by DSU's defensive error to set up a bases loaded situation for the Eagles.  Shireman hit an RBI single to score Matheis to give AU a 1-0 lead.  Hammonds hit an RBI single and Maddy Misel added an RBI fielder's choice as the Eagles' lead grew to 3-0.

Lien hit a single with one out in the top seventh inning.  She advanced to second base caused by AU's defensive miscue.  Shai-Lee Hill recorded an RBI single to score Lien as the Trojans trimmed their deficit to 3-1.  The Eagles secured the game in a double play.

Brittany Hill had a double for the Trojans, extending her hitting streak to nine games.  Shai-Lee Hill added a single and an RBI.  Audrey Lorenz, Rubalcava and Lien each had a single.  Lorenz swiped one base.

Matheis had a triple and a single for the Eagles.  Shireman and Hammonds each produced a single and an RBI.  Carthen and Elliot each had a single.

AU outhit DSU 6-5.  The Trojans committed two defensive errors, while Avila had one defensive error.

Dakota State left five runners on base compared to Eagles four runners left on base.

Slibowski (7-6) recorded the loss for the Trojans.  She worked for six innings and allowed three runs (one unearned) on six hits. 

Hammonds (5-15) picked up a complete game win for the Eagles.  She gave up one run on five hits.

Dakota State looks to bounce back in the winning column as they begin their four-game home stand on Thursday.  The Trojans host Dordt (Iowa) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in a doubleheader at Thue Softball Complex.  First game of the doubleheader is set for 6 p.m.

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director