March 15, 2015
BETHANY, Okla. – Dakota State (S.D.) could not get their first victories of the 2015 season Thursday afternoon as they dropped a pair of softball non-conference games versus Southwestern Christian (Okla.) at SCU Softball Field. The Lady Eagles posted scores of 7-0 and 7-2 wins over the Trojans.
DSU is 0-5 overall record while SCU improved to 5-5 overall record.
Game 1 – Southwestern Christian (Okla.) 7, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL
The Trojans were unable to score a run in the first game of the doubleheader. Southwestern Christian posted a pair of 3-runs innings in the third and fourth inning to take a 7-0 victory.
SCU opened up with a 1-0 lead in the bottom first inning. Wynter Raghoebar was hit-by-pitch to start the bottom first. Lari Willis hit a single to advance Raghoebar to second base. Tyler Frazier produced an RBI single to score Raghoebar for Lady Eagles' one-run lead.
Southwestern Christian scored three runs in the bottom third frame, highlighted by opening the inning with three consecutive singles by Ashley Saunders, Willis and Frazier. Frazier and Shelbi Robinett each recorded an RBI and SCU added a run caused by DSU's defensive error, extending their lead to 4-0.
Frazier and Alaura Prenzlow hit back-to-back doubles, helping SCU to add three more runs for a 7-0 lead in the bottom fourth.
DSU went three-and-out in the final inning as the Lady Eagles sealed a shutout victory.
Erica Belter, Elizabeth Rubalcava, Brittany Hill and Haley Hansen each had a single for the Trojans. Ellie Kristensen swiped one base.
Frazier was 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and tallied three RBIs for Southwestern Christian. Prenzlow added a double and two RBIs. Jazmine Koerner had a double. Willis had three hits.
Kristensen (0-3) took the loss as she threw six innings for Dakota State. She allowed seven runs (one unearned) on 10 hits. She recorded five strikeouts.
Kacee Schroeder (3-2) earned a complete game victory for SCU. She gave up four hits.
Southwestern Christian left nine runners on base while Dakota State left four runners on base.
Game 2 – Southwestern Christian (Okla.) 7, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL
Dakota State grabbed the first lead of the game, but was unable to maintain their lead as SCU earned a 7-2 game two victory.
The Trojans ended their scoring drought in the opening inning. Belter reached on base caused by Lady Eagles' defensive error. She advanced to second base after Lexy Miller's sacrifice bunt. Rubalcava blasted a double to left field and scored Belter for DSU's 1-0 lead.
Southwestern Christian answered back in the bottom first frame by scoring three runs by taking advantage of four walks and two wild pitches. The Lady Eagles overtook the lead from the Trojans 3-1 after the first inning.
Frazier hit an RBI single to add another run in the bottom second inning, expanding SCU's lead to 4-1.
Dakota State cut down SCU's lead to 4-2 in the top third inning. Rubalcava hit her second double of the game. Brittany Hill recorded an RBI single to score Rubalcava to reduce their deficit by two runs.
SCU scored another three runs in the bottom third inning. Koerner (2 RBIs) and Jessica Orozco (RB) hit back-to-back doubles as the Lady Eagles' lead grew to 7-2.
Both teams were unable to score for the rest of the game, completing SCU's doubleheader sweep over DSU.
Rubalcava had two doubles and an RBI for the Trojans. Brittany Hill added a single and an RBI. Ariana Dunn collected two hits. Belter, Miller and Lynnie Angle each had a single.
Koerner had a double and two RBIs for the Lady Eagles. Orozco added a double and an RBI. Saunders, Frazier, Shelby Lancin, Robinett and Joanah Harjo-Tiger each had a hit.
Brittany Hill (0-1) recorded the loss on the pitching mound for DSU. She pitched the first inning and gave up three runs and four walks. Shai-Lee Hill worked for five innings in relief. She allowed four runs on nine hits.
Orozco (2-3) earned a complete game win for SCU. She gave up two runs (one unearned) on eight hits. She recorded five strikeouts.
SCU outhit DSU 9-8 in the game. Both teams had eight runners left on base.
Dakota State swings back in action Saturday afternoon, visiting Oklahoma Baptist (No. 21 in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll). The doubleheader takes place at Lady Bison Park in Shawnee, Okla. with a game time starting at 1 p.m.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
