March 5, 2016
OMAHA, Neb. – The Dakota State University softball team played their first-ever meeting with Grace (Neb.) Saturday afternoon at HP Smith Field. Trailing 2-1 in the first game, the Trojans outscored the Royals 7-0 in the last three innings to prevail for an 8-2 victory. DSU added another win after cruising past GU 14-0 in five innings to complete a doubleheader sweep.
Dakota State improved their overall record to 2-2. Grace dropped to 0-4 overall record.
Game 1 – Dakota State (S.D.) 8, Grace (Neb.) 2 – FINAL
Both Dakota State and Grace were unable to score through the first three innings in the first game of the doubleheader.
The Trojans strike first in the top fourth inning. Elizabeth Rubalcava led off DSU with a double, followed up by a single by Audrey Kosman. Tatum Ronke produced an RBI single to score Rubalcava to give DSU a 1-0 lead.
GU answered back with two runs scored in the bottom fourth frame. Roxanna Jensen and Alyssa Salazar hit back-to-back singles to start the bottom fourth. Kyra Espinoza reached on base after DSU's defensive error and allowed Jensen and Salazar to score to give Royals a 2-1 lead.
Dakota State scored three runs – all with two outs – in the top fifth inning. Peyton Brokiewicz produced a double and advanced to third base by Royals' wild pitch. After Rubalcava and Kosman recorded back-to-back walks, April Pisk drilled a 3-RBI double to score Brokiewicz, Rubalcava and Kosman as the Trojans regained their lead to 4-2.
DSU made it 6-2 after a 2-RBI single by Kayla Schmell in the top sixth inning.
Ronke hit an RBI double and Shai-Lee Hill recorded an RBI sacrifice fly as the Trojans' lead grew to 8-2 in the top seventh.
The Royals left one runner on base in the final inning as DSU secured their first win of the season.
Rubalcava and Brokiewicz each collected two doubles for the Trojans. Pisk went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, two singles and produced three RBIs. Ronke had two hits and two RBIs. Schmell recorded a single and two RBIs. Kosman, Kylee Pospisil and Hill each had a single. Kasey Randall swiped one base.
Jensen, Salazar, Amanda Roberts, Cierra Newton and Rachel Schoeneman each had a single for the Royals.
DSU outhit GU 13-5 in the game. The Trojans left eight runners on base while the Royals had five runners on base.
Kosman (W, 1-1) tossed a complete game victory on the pitching mound for Dakota State. She allowed two unearned runs on five hits and recorded eight strikeouts.
Newton (L, 0-2) recorded the loss for Grace, despite tossing a complete game. She gave up eight runs on 13 hits.
Game 2 – Dakota State (S.D.) 14, Grace (Neb.) 0 – FINAL/5 innings
Dakota State exploded for 14 runs in the first four innings and never looked back for a 14-0 shutout victory over Grace in the second game of the doubleheader.
The Trojans opened up the game with three consecutive singles by Brokiewicz, Schmell and Rubalcava to set up the bases loaded situation. Pisk hit an RBI ground out to score Brokiewicz to give DSU a 1-0 lead. After Ronke reached on base by a walk, Ariana Duran smashed a 3-RBI double to score Schmell, Rubalcava and Ronke as DSU's lead grew to 4-0.
Hill and Harley Lindell were hit-by-pitch in the first inning with two outs, Brokiewicz registered an RBI single to score Duran for 5-0 DSU lead.
The Trojans added two runs in the top second frame with the first run caused by GU's defensive error. Duran added an RBI single to extend DSU's lead to 7-0.
DSU scored two runs in the top third inning to widen their lead to 9-0. The Trojans exploded for five more runs in the top fourth frame for a 14-0 lead, highlighted by 2-RBI single each from Brokiewicz and Kosman.
Grace went three-and-out in the bottom fifth inning as DSU completed a doubleheader sweep.
Brokiewicz went 4-of-5 at the plate for the Trojans, earning four singles and producing three RBIs. Duran added a double, single and registered four RBIs. Kosman had two singles and two RBIs. Schmell and Rubalacva each had a hit and an RBI. Lindell scored two runs.
Jensen and Amberlin Scharsch each collected two singles for Grace. Amanda Robers and Ceara Barkowsky each recorded a single.
DSU outhit GU 11-6. The Trojans had eight runners left on base while the Royals left seven runners on base.
Claire Fischer (W, 1-1) earned a complete game shutout victory for Dakota State. She allowed six hits and recorded two strikeouts.
Rachel Schoeneman (L, 0-2) took the loss on the pitching mound for Grace. She gave up 14 runs (four unearned) on 11 hits. Newton worked for 1 1/3 shutout innings in relief.
Dakota State won't return back to action until March 24 as they visit in-state rival Mount Marty (S.D.). The non-conference doubleheader kicks off at 3 p.m. The games will be held at the Riverside Park in Yankton, S.D.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
