March 10, 2015
NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – The Dakota State University softball team returned back to action Tuesday afternoon as they visit Bethel (Kan.) of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) at Bethel Softball Field. The Threshers shut down the Trojans 5-0 in the first game and completed a doubleheader sweep with a 9-4 game two win.
Dakota State fell to 0-3 overall record. Bethel is 2-6 overall record after the victories.
Game 1 – Bethel (Ind.) 5, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL
Dakota State was unable to take the first lead of the game in the top second inning after Harley Lindell blasted a double. She advanced to third base by BC's passed ball, but was stranded at third base when the top second inning ended.
With the bases loaded and one out situation in the bottom second for Bethel, Megan Dike recorded an RBI walk to score Kylee Gragg for BC's 1-0 lead. Victoria Roberts added an RBI fielder's choice to score Alexis Brewer to extend Threshers' lead to 2-0.
The Trojans also left a runner on third base in the top fifth inning where Lynnie Angle opened up with a single. She advanced to second base by a passed ball by BC. Ellie Kristensen hit a ground ball to put Angle to third base, but DSU was unable to get the scoring opportunity converted.
Bethel added three runs in the bottom fifth inning, thanks to Aida Martinez and Gragg's back-to-back doubles. The Threshers' lead bumped up to 5-0.
DSU left one runner on base in the final inning as BC secured the victory.
Lindell had a double for the Trojans. Lexy Miller and Angle each recorded a single.
Gragg was 3-for-3 at the plate for the Threshers with a double, two singles and an RBI. Martinez added a double and an RBI. Mariah Ekart, Jeni Reichenberger and Brewer each had a hit. Roberts and Dike each produced an RBI.
Kristensen (0-2) took the loss on the pitching mound for DSU. She pitched six innings and allowed five runs (one unearned) on seven hits. She recorded three strikeouts.
Sarah Cunningham (1-2) pitched a complete game victory for Bethel. She gave up three hits and struck out five Trojans' batters.
BC outhit DSU 7-3 in the game. The Threshers left seven runners on base while the Trojans had five runners left on base.
Game 2 – Bethel (Kan.) 9, Dakota State (S.D.) 4 – FINAL
Dakota State earned the first lead of the game in the opening inning, but could not overcome Bethel's five-run outburst in the bottom first in the second game of the doubleheader.
Erica Belter started the second game with a single for DSU. She swiped for second base. After Miller was struck out swinging, Belter stole for third base. Elizabeth Rubalcava hit an RBI single to score Belter to give Dakota State a 1-0 lead.
The Threshers answered back by scoring five runs in the bottom first frame to overtake a 5-1 lead. Bethel had six hits in the inning, while Dakota State committed two errors.
Martinez recorded an RBI double in the bottom fourth inning to extend BC's lead to 6-1.
The Trojans scored three runs in the top sixth inning to trim their deficit by two runs. Rubalcava reached on base by a walk with one out. Brittany Hill hit a single to advance Rubalcava to second base. A passed ball by Bethel moved Rubalcava to third and Hill to second base.
DSU's Lindell ripped a 2-RBI double to score Rubalcava and Hill to cut BC's lead to 6-3. Another passed ball by the Threshers helped Lindell advance to third base. Ariana Duran hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Lindell as Trojans reduced Bethel's lead to 6-4.
The Threshers responded back with three runs scored in the bottom sixth inning for a 9-4 lead.
Dakota State left a runner on first base as Bethel sealed the victory in the final inning.
Duran had two hits and an RBI for the Trojans. Lindell had a double and tallied two RBIs. Rubalcava had a hit and an RBI. Belter, Hill and Haley Hansen each had a hit. Belter swiped two bases.
Martinez went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, two singles and three RBIs for BC. Gragg added two hits and an RBI. Brewer recorded two singles and two RBIs. Dike had two hits. Ekart collected two doubles and an RBI. Roberts had a single and an RBI.
Shai-Lee Hill (0-1) recorded the loss for DSU. She worked for six innings and allowed nine runs (five unearned) on 13 hits.
Dike (1-4) threw a complete game win for Bethel. She gave up four runs on seven hits.
BC outhit DSU 13-7 in the game. The Trojans committed five defensive errors while the Threshers did not commit an error.
Dakota State is seeking for their first victory of the season as they get back in action Thursday afternoon as they travel to Southwestern Christian (Okla.) for a doubleheader. The doubleheader takes place at SCU Softball Field in Bethany, Okla. with a starting time of 2 p.m.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
