April 3, 2015
Photo credits by Scott Voigt
MADISON, S.D. – After playing 15 straight games on the road or neutral site, the Dakota State University (S.D.) softball team returned back home at Thue Softball Complex Friday afternoon. The Trojans hosted Dickinson State (N.D.), who is a newcomer in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) conference this season, in the conference season opener. The Blue Hawks swept the Trojans by the scores of 10-0 and 13-2.
Dakota State fell to 1-16 overall record and 0-2 NSAA conference record. Dickinson State, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 national poll, extended their winning streak to six games and lifted their overall record to 21-5 and 2-0 NSAA conference record.
Game 1: Dickinson State (N.D.) 10, Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL/6 innings
After a pair of scoreless innings to kick off the first game of the four-game series, the Blue Hawks scored at least a run for four consecutive innings and shut down the Trojans.
DiSU exploded for three runs in the top third frame. Morgan Glowa led off with a walk. McKenzie Kenobbie recorded a sacrifice bunt to advance Glowa to second base. Alex Vargas hit an RBI single to score Glowa to give Blue Hawks their first run of the game. After Janell LaRont reached on base-on-ballas (Vargas advanced to second base), Claudia Torres hit a 2-RBI double (to score LaRont and Varags) as Dickinson State's lead grew to 3-0.
Kenobbie produced an RBI single to score Brianna Grayson – who led off with a single and advanced to second by Taylor Ursel's sacrifice bunt – in the top fourth inning to give DiSU a 4-0 lead.
Vargas and LaRont hit back-to-back singles in the top fifth inning for Dickinson State. Both advanced one base after DaSU's passed ball. A wild pitch by the Trojans allowed Vargas to score, along with LaRont on the same play scored after Dakota State committed a defensive error. The Blue Hawks' lead was expanded to 6-0.
The Blue Hawks scored four times in the sixth inning to make to increase their lead to 10-0.
Dakota State went three-and-out in the bottom sixth inning, securing the NSAA conference opener victory for the Blue Hawks.
Sara Erickson had a double for the Trojans. Ariana Duran, Harley Lindell and Lynnie Angle each added a single. Erica Belter and Ellie Kristensen each reached on base by a walk. Kristensen swiped one base.
Kenobbie and Vargas each had three singles and an RBI for the Blue Hawks. Torres added a double, single and produced two RBIs. Regan Lawrence had a double and an RBI. LaRont and Grayson each had a single.
DiSU outhit DaSU 11-4 in the game. Both teams left six runners on base.
Kristensen (1-9) recorded the loss on the pitching mound for Dakota State. She tossed six innings and allowed 10 runs (6 unearned) on 11 hits.
Lawrence (9-4) earned a complete game victory for Dickinson State. She limited the Trojans to four hits and recorded six strikeouts.
Game 2: Dickinson State (N.D.) 13, Dakota State (S.D.) 2 – FINAL
Glowa hit a 2-RBI double to give Dickinson State a 2-0 lead in the top second inning.
Dakota State snapped their scoring drought with a run scored in the bottom second frame. Lindell led off DaSU with a walk. Shai-Lee Hill hit a single to advance Lindell to third base. The Blue Hawks committed a defensive error when Erickson hit a grounder to shortstop, allowing Lindell to score as DaSU trimmed DiSU's lead to 2-1.
The Blue Hawks made it 3-1 in the top third inning after LaRont's inside-the-park home run.
Dickinson State's offensive outburst exploded for five runs score in the top fourth inning, expanding their lead to 8-1. The Blue Hawks kicked off the fourth inning with four consecutive singles by Monique Ysales, Glowa, Rebecca Lopez and Kenobbie.
The Trojans trimmed DiSU's lead to 8-2 in the bottom fourth inning with Angle's RBI double to score Lindell, who reached on base after a strikeout but reached safely to second base after DiSU Alexzandria Watson's wild pitch.
The Blue Hawks added another five-run inning in the top seventh for a 13-2 lead, highlighted by Ysals' 2-RBI double and Vargas' 2-run home run.
DaSU left one runner on base in the bottom seventh inning, sealing the win for DiSU.
Brittany Hill and Elizabeth Rubalcava each had a double and single for the Trojans. Angle added a double and an RBI. Erickson and Shai-Lee Hill each collected a single.
Every DiSU players had at least a hit in the game. Kenobbie tallied two doubles, two singles and three RBIs. Lopez added two hits and three RBIs. Vargas had a home run, double and two RBIs. LaRont, Yslas and Glowa each had two hits.
DiSU had 17 hits in the game compared to DaSU 7 hits. The Trojans left eight runners on base while the Blue Hawks had six runners left on base.
Shai-Lee Hill (0-5) recorded the loss after pitching three-plus innings for Dakota State. She gave up seven runs on 12 hits. Kristensen worked for four innings in relief and allowed six runs (one unearned) on five hits. She recorded four strikeouts.
Watson (8-1) earned a complete game win for Dickinson State. She gave up two runs (one unearned) on seven hits. She recorded five strikeouts.
The Trojans and Blue Hawks finish their NSAA's conference four-game series Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader. The first game is set for 12 noon at Thue Softball Complex.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
