April 22, 2015
ABERDEEN, S.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Softball teams are heading into their final week of conference play as Dakota State (S.D.) visited Presentation (S.D.) in a doubleheader at Manor Park Wednesday. The Trojans held off the Saints 9-6 in the first game for their third victory in the last five games. PC went on to shut down DSU 6-0 in the second game to gain a doubleheader split.
Dakota State improved to 4-29 overall record and 3-13 in NSAA conference action. Presentation is 19-27 overall record and 7-9 NSAA record.
Game 1: Dakota State (S.D.) 9, Presentation (S.D.) 6 – FINAL
The Trojans raced to a 9-2 lead through five-and-half innings and held off Saints' late comeback for a three-run victory.
DSU got on board with two runs in the top second frame. Ariana Duran hit a single, followed by Lexy Miller's walk to lead off the inning. Both runners advanced one base after a wild pitch committed by PC's pitcher Kayla Reynolds. Ellie Kristensen produced a 2-RBI single with two outs to score Duran and Miller, giving the Trojans a 2-0 lead.
Duran and Miller reached safely caused by Saints' defensive error to kick off the top fourth inning for Dakota State. Harley Lindell smashed a 3-run home run to extend DSU's lead to 5-0.
Presentation answered back with a 2-run home run by Jessie Ihly to trim their deficit to 5-2 in the bottom fourth.
Dakota State added two more runs in the top fifth inning as their lead grew to 7-2. Sara Erickson drilled a double to start the fifth frame. Elizabeth Rubalcava added a single to advance Erickson to third base. Brittany Hill hit an RBI single to score Erickson. After Duran was hit-by-pitch, Miller hit an RBI single to score Rubalcava to give Trojans a five-run lead.
Brittany Hill and Miller each added RBI singles as the Trojans' lead grew to 9-2 in the top sixth inning.
PC's Reynolds recorded a 3-run home run in the bottom sixth inning to cut DSU's lead to 9-5.
Jacque Trost hit a solo home run in the bottom seventh inning as the Saints reduced Trojans' lead by three runs, but the Trojans secured the game by recording the final two outs.
Eight different Dakota State players recorded at least a hit in the game. Brittany Hill was 2-for-4 at the plate with two singles and two RBIs. Miller added two singles and two RBIs. Lindell had a home run and collected three RBIs. Erickson had a double. Erica Belter, Rubalcava, Duran and Kristensen each had a hit. Kristensen recorded two RBIs.
Erickson, Rubalcava, Duran and Miller each scored twice for the Trojans. Miller swiped one base.
Ihly recorded a home run, double and earned two RBIs for Presentation. Kassidy Rauch added two singles. Reynolds had a home run and three RBIs. Trost added a home run and an RBI. Karysaa Marbet had a hit.
Brenda Botzenhart and Trost each recorded a stolen base for the Saints.
DSU outhit PC 10-7 in the game. The Trojans left seven runners on base compared PC three runners left on base.
Kristensen (4-16) tossed a complete game victory for Dakota State. She allowed six runs on seven hits. She recorded seven strikeouts.
Reynods (9-14) pitched a complete game in losing effort for Presentation. She gave up nine runs (two unearned) on 10 hits. She struck out 10 DSU's batters.
Game 2: Presentation (S.D.) 6, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL
The Saints opened up with a three-run lead in the second game of the doubleheader and never look back to gain a split with the Trojans.
Ihly hit a 3-run home run with two outs in the opening inning as Presentation grabbed a 3-0 lead.
The Saints made it 4-0 after Ihly recorded an RBI single in the bottom third inning.
Shelby Anderson blasted a solo home run with two outs to extend PC's lead to 5-0 in the fourth frame.
Anderson added an RBI fielder's choice in the bottom sixth inning to give the Saints a 6-0 lead.
The Trojans went three-and-out in the final inning as PC secured the victory.
Belter, Rubalcava, Duran and Miller each had a single for Dakota State. Lindell recorded a walk.
Ihly was 2-of-3 at the plate with a home run, single and tallied four RBIs for Presentation. Anderson added a home run, two singles and recorded two RBIs. Botzenhart had a double. Reynolds and Jaycee Herman each added a hit.
PC had eight hits in the game while DSU had four hits.
The Saints left seven runners on base compared to the Trojans five runners left on base.
Shai-Lee Hill (0-11) recorded the loss on the pitching mound for Dakota State. She pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up four runs (one unearned) on five hits. Kristensen worked for 3 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs (one unearned) on three hits.
Megan Mendonca (5-8) earned a complete game win for Presentation. She limited the Trojans to four hits and recorded five strikeouts.
Dakota State and Presentation will be playing their final NSAA four-game series this weekend. The Trojans return home as they host Valley City State (N.D.) at Thue Softball Complex. The doubleheaders are slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Madison. Presentation heads to Dickinson State (N.D.) Saturday and Sunday.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
