April 17, 2016

FOREST CITY, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) was unable to take advantage of their fast starts Sunday in the North Star Athletic Association Softball doubleheader at Al Buckley Field.  The Warriors stormed back and swept the Trojans 14-6 and 12-4, with both games ending in the bottom fifth inning by eight-run rule.

Dakota State dropped their overall record to 7-19 and 3-11 NSAA conference.  Waldorf completed the four-game series sweep over DSU, raising their overall record to 13-21 and 7-9 NSAA.

Game 1 – Waldorf (Iowa) 14, Dakota State (S.D.) 6 – FINAL/5 innings

The Trojans started the game with an offensive explosion, tallying six runs on five hits.  DSU's first five batters reached safely on base and all scored its first five runs of the game.

Peyton Brokiewicz drilled a triple to right field to lead off Dakota State.  Kayla Schmell followed up with an RBI single to score Brokiewicz for DSU 1-0 lead.  Elizabeth Rubalcava reached on base by a walk.  Audrey Kosman hit a single to left field to set up a bases loaded situation for the Trojans.

DSU made it 2-0 in the top first after April Pisk recorded an RBI walk to score Schmell.  Kylee Pospisil added an RBI ground out to score Rubalcava as the Trojans' lead grew to 3-0. 

Dakota State continued its scoring surge in the opening inning as Tatum Ronke hit an RBI single to score Kosman.  Shai-Lee Hill added an RBI ground out to score Pisk for DSU's 5-0 lead. 

After Ronke advanced to third base by WU's passed ball, Harley Lindell produced an RBI single to score Ronke as the DSU continued to widen their lead to 6-0 in the first inning.

Waldorf ended their scoring drought with a pair of runs scored in the bottom fourth frame, trimming DSU's lead to 6-2.

The Warriors racked up a total of 12 runs in the bottom fifth inning, securing the victory.  WU had seven hits in the inning (four doubles), but the Trojans committed four defensive errors.

Rubalcava went perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two doubles for Dakota State.  Brokiewicz added a triple.  Lindell, Ronke and Schmell each had a single and an RBI.  Kosman registered a hit.  Pisk and Pospisil each produced an RBI.

Burres and Murphy each had a double and two RBIs for Waldorf.  Sanchez added a double, single and an RBI.  Taylor Bell and Ashton May each recorded a hit and an RBI.  Jessica Abrahamson had a single and two RBIs.  Amanda Hartman had a hit.

WU had 10 hits in the game compared to DSU 7 hits.  The Trojans committed five defensive errors while the Warriors did not have a defensive error.  Both teams left three runners left on base.

Kosman (L, 3-10) took the loss in the circle for DSU.  She allowed 11 runs (6 unearned) on 10 hits.  Claire Fischer worked for one out in the bottom fifth, giving up three unearned runs.

Kaylie Brindley (W, 2-6) earned a complete game victory for WU.  She pitched five innings and gave up six runs (one unearned) on seven hits.

Game 2 – Waldorf (Iowa) 12, Dakota State (S.D.) 4 – FINAL/5 innings

The Trojans opened up with another fast start, scoring two runs in the first inning.  Brokiewicz reached to second base by WU's defensive miscue to open the game.  She advanced to third base after Schmell hit a single.  Kosman produced an RBI single to score Brokiewicz for DSU's first lead of the game at 1-0.

Pospisil was reached safely on first base by Warriors' second defensive error of the game, allowing Schmell to score for Dakota State's 2-0 lead in the top first.

The Warriors answered back with two runs from Andrea Harman's 2-run home run, tying the game at 2-2.

Waldorf earned a 7-2 lead after the second inning with five runs scored, highlighted by Abrahamson's 3-run home run.

Dakota State added two runs in the top fourth frame.  Pospisil reached on base by a walk, followed by Ronke's double to advance Pospisil to third base.  WU committed a passed ball to allow Pospisil to score as DSU trailed 7-3.  The next pitch saw a wild pitch by the Warriors as Ronke scored, reducing Trojans' deficit to 7-4.    

WU used another big fifth inning, scoring five runs to secure the victory.  The Warriors had a pair of doubles in the bottom fifth, ending the game by Abrahamson's RBI double.

Ronke was 2-of-3 at the plate with a double, single and scored a run for the Trojans.  Kosman added two singles and an RBI.  Brokiewicz, Schmell, Ariana Duran and Lynnie Angle each added a hit.

Abrahamson went perfect at the plate, going 4-of-4 with a home run, two doubles, single and produced four RBIs for Waldorf.  Murphy added two hits and three RBIs.  Hartman tallied a single and two RBIs.  Hawley had a double.  Kattie Hupke and Taylor Bell each had two hits and an RBI.

Waldorf outhit Dakota State 14-8.  The Trojans left 10 runners on base while the Warriors left five runners on base. 

Ashley Olson (L, 2-6) recorded the loss on the mound for DSU.  She tossed 4 1/3 innings and allowed 11 runs (2 unearned) on 12 hits.  Hill worked for one out in relief, giving up one unearned run on two hits.

Hawley (W, 4-5) tossed a complete game win for WU.  She gave up four unearned runs on eight hits.

Dakota State looks to snap their losing skid Wednesday evening as they return home for a non-conference doubleheader versus Dordt (Iowa).   First game is set for 5 p.m. at Thue Softball Complex in Madison, S.D. 

Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director