April 18, 2015
PORTLAND, N.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) poured in the season-high runs in 20-8 victory in the first game of the North Star Athletic Association softball doubleheader versus Mayville State (N.D.) at Portland Softball Field Saturday afternoon. The Trojans could not close out the four-game series as they fell to the Comets 10-2 in five innings.
Dakota State is 3-28 overall record and 2-12 NSAA conference record. Mayville State holds an overall record of 6-24 and 5-9 NSAA.
Game 1: Dakota State (S.D.) 20, Mayville State (N.D.) 8 – FINAL
Trailing 7-5 entering in the top fifth inning, the Trojans roared back by outscoring the Comets 15-1 in the final three innings to cruise for a 20-8 victory, producing a season-high runs for DSU.
Dakota State grabbed the first lead of the game in the opening inning. Sara Erickson blasted a solo home run with one out to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead.
After Elizabeth Rubalcava reached on base by MSU's defensive error in the top first, Arian Duran hit an RBI double to score Rubalcava to extend Trojans' lead to 2-0. Lexy Miller recorded a bunt single to advance Duran to third base. DSU made it 3-0 as Lynnie Angle produced an RBI single to score Duran.
Mayville State got on board in the bottom second to cut DSU's lead to 3-1. Felicia Gonzales had a double. Tiffany Soria reached on base by DSU's defensive error, allowing Gonzales to score.
The Trojans extended their lead to 4-1 after the Comets committed a defensive error.
MSU exploded for four runs in the bottom third inning, all four runs scored with two outs. Megan Rabe had an RBI single. Gonzales added 2-RBI singles, followed by Tiffany Soria's RBI double to give Mayville State a 5-4 lead.
Dakota State answered back with a run scored in the top fourth frame. Erica Belter led off the inning with a single. Erickson was hit-by-pitch to advance Belter to second base. Rubalcava hit a single to set up a bases loaded situation for DSU. Brittany Hill recorded an RBI sacrificie fly to score Belter as the Trojans knotted the game at 5-5.
Nina Gurgian hit a 2-run home run in the bottom fourth as Mayville State regained their lead at 7-5.
Angle blasted a solo home run to lead off the top fifth inning as DSU trimmed MSU's lead to 7-6. The Trojans continued their scoring run as Shai-Lee Hill hit a single, followed by Ellie Kristensen's fielder choice as Shai-Lee Hill was reached safely on second by MSU's error. Erickson hit an RBI double to score Shai-Lee Hill to tie the game at 7-7.
Rubalcava earned an RBI fielder's choice to score Kristensen to give Dakota State an 8-7 lead in the top fifth. Brittany Hill recorded a 2-RBI double to score Erickson and Rubalcava to complete a five-run offensive explosion, giving DSU a 10-7 lead.
The Trojans added four runs in the top sixth inning. Angle reached on base by a walk for DSU. Shai-Lee Hill recorded a sacrifice bunt to advance Angle to second base. Belter hit an RBI triple to score Angle as DSU's lead grew to 11-7. Erickson reached on base by Comets' defensive error, allowing Belter to score for 12-7 Trojans lead.
With bases loaded situation and one out in the top sixth inning for Dakota State, Duran produced a 2-RBI single to score Erickson and Rubalcava to expand their lead to 14-7.
Gurgian had an RBI single in the bottom sixth inning as MSU trimmed DSU's lead to 14-8.
The Trojans plated six more runs in the top seventh inning, highlighted by Brittany Hill's grand slam for a 20-8 lead.
DSU secured the game in the bottom seventh inning as MSU left a runner on third base.
Belter, Erickson, Rubalcava, Duran and Angle each tallied three hits for Dakota State. Brittany Hill added a home run, double and collected a season-high seven RBIs. Miller had two hits and swiped a base. Shai-Lee Hill had a hit. Duran earned three RBIs. Rubalcava and Angle each had two RBIs.
Gurgian was 3-of-4 at the plate with three singles and three RBIs. Gonzales added two hits and two RBIs. Soria had a double and an RBI. Daisy Macias and Kiana Ishikawa each had two hits.
DSU outhit MSU 20-13 in the game. The Comets committed seven defensive errors compared to the Trojans two defensive misuces.
The Trojans left 11 runners on base while the Comets had 8 runners left on base.
Kristensen (3-16) earned a complete game victory on the pitching mound for Dakota State. She allowed eight runs (one unearned) on 13 hits.
Monica Gomez (1-12) recorded the loss for Mayville State. She worked for 2 1/3 innings and gave up six runs (two unearned) on 10 hits. Haley Kravetz tossed 3 1/3 innings, giving up 10 runs (two unearned) on nine hits. Rachel Koopman pitched for 2/3 innings and gave up four runs (one unearned). Gonzales the final two outs in the top seventh inning.
Game 2: Mayville State (N.D.) 10, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL/5 innings
The Trojans grabbed the first lead of the game at 1-0 in the second inning after Kristensen's RBI single.
Mayville State answered back with three runs scored in the bottom half of the second inning, highlighted by Onalise Rodriguez's 2-RBI single. Danielle Sheridan added an RBI single to give MSU a 3-1 lead.
The Comets put together a 6-run bottom fourth inning to expand their lead to 9-1. MSU recorded just two hits, thanks to Soria's 2-RBI double. The Trojans committed three defensive errors in the inning.
Erickson hit a solo home run in the top fifth inning as DSU trimmed Mayville State's lead to 9-2.
The Comets ended the game with one out in the bottom fifth frame after Haley Wedgewood's RBI single to score Gurgian, who had a double.
Erickson was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run, double and earned an RBI for the Trojans. Duran added a double and single. Brittany Hill and Kristensen each added a hit. Kristensen also had an RBI. Miller recorded a stolen base.
Soria was 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, two singles and recorded two RBIs for the Comets. Wedgewood and Rodriguez each had a hit and 2 RBIs.
MSU had eight hits in the game compared to DSU seven hits. The Trojans had six defensive errors while the Comets had one defensive miscue.
The Comets left 10 runners on base. DSU had 7 runners left on base.
Shai-Lee Hill (0-10) recorded the loss for the Trojans. She pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs (three unearned) on four hits. Kristensen worked for one inning in relief, giving up three runs (two unearned) on four hits.
Gonzales (2-6) tossed a complete game victory for the Comets. She gave up two runs on seven hits.
Dakota State continues their NSAA conference action on the road Wednesday as they visit Presentation (S.D.). First pitch in the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. in Aberdeen.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
